English Reference
Word adjective

coastal

adj.
US /ˈkoʊstəɫ/ UK /kˈəʊstəl/ coastal
Definition
  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    located on or near the coast, where the land meets the ocean.

    relating to or situated on the coast; describes the interface between land and sea.

    Simple

    “We spent our summer holiday in a small coastal town with beautiful beaches.”

    In context

    “The government implemented new coastal management policies to protect vulnerable communities from the increasing threat of rising sea levels.”

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun.

    Synonyms
    seasidelittoralmarine
    Antonyms
    inlandinterior

Usage coastal areas · coastal communities · coastal town

Real-world usage

“Scorching summers, freezing winters, and scarce rain have for decades pushed rural workers toward coastal cities and industrial hubs.”

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

“Separately, it was announced on Thursday that the Bulgarian coastal town of Burgas will host the 2027 contest .”

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026
Etymology

From coast + -al. Piecewise doublet of costal.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated