ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cyprus

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈsaɪpɹəs// cyprus Archaic

n. an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is located south of Turkey and west of Syria.

n. an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, situated south of the Anatolian Peninsula. It is a member of the European Union and is geographically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.


SIMPLE

We are planning a holiday to Cyprus this summer.

CONTEXTUAL

The archaeological sites in Cyprus offer a fascinating look into the island's ancient Greek and Roman history.

COMPLEX

Strategically located in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has historically served as a vital maritime hub for trade and cultural exchange between diverse civilizations.

Origin

From Latin Cyprus, from Ancient Greek Κύπρος (Kúpros).

Usage

Usually treated as a singular proper noun; the definite article 'the' is not used before the name of the country.

Pitfall

I am going to the CyprusI am going to CyprusUnlike 'the Netherlands' or 'the UK', the name of this island nation does not take a definite article.

© 2026 English Reference