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Definition of isle

isle

/aɪl/
isle

Plural:isles
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isle Lexical Profile

isle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A geographically distinct landmass surrounded by water, typically smaller than a continent and often referring specifically to a small island or one belonging to an archipelago.

Example

"The ancient mariners navigated their wooden ships toward a rocky, fog-shrouded isle in the North Atlantic."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

While synonymous with 'island', 'isle' is predominantly reserved for geographic proper names (e.g., the Isle of Skye, the Isle of Man) or used to achieve a slightly elevated, literary tone.

• Rhymes for isle

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'isle' (which became modern French 'île'), derived from the Latin 'insula', meaning 'island'.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Isle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/isle
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