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Definition of maldives

maldives

/ˈmɔːl.diːvz/
mal · dives
Plural:Maldives
•
Adjective:Maldivian
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maldives Lexical Profile

• noun

1

An archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean, situated southwest of Sri Lanka and India, known for its extensive coral atolls, marine ecosystems, and tourism industry.

Example

"They spent their vacation relaxing in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives."

Word Nuance & Usage

Although plural in form and typically preceded by the definite article ('the Maldives'), it is usually treated grammatically as a singular noun when referring to the sovereign nation.

• Nearby Words

malayan sluggish snake
malaysia
malcolmia
maldives
male
mali
mali cobra

Word Origin & Etymology

Likely derived from the Sanskrit words 'mālā' (garland) and 'dvīpa' (island), or from the Malayalam 'māla-dvīpu', meaning 'garland of islands', which describes the archipelago's ring-shaped atoll geography.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Maldives. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/maldives
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