ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ireland

n. uncountable
A1 Beginner US //ˈaɪɝɫənd// ire·land

n. an island country in the North Atlantic, located to the west of Great Britain. It is famous for its green landscapes and rich history of music and storytelling.

n. an island in the North Atlantic, divided politically into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is the second-largest island of the British Isles and is historically associated with Gaelic culture.


SIMPLE

Many people visit Ireland to see the beautiful green hills.

CONTEXTUAL

The tech industry has grown significantly in Ireland over the last decade, particularly in the capital city of Dublin.

COMPLEX

The complex history of Ireland is marked by periods of significant migration, cultural shifts, and a long-standing literary tradition that has produced some of the world's most celebrated authors.

Synonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Celtic *ɸīweriyū Proto-Celtic *Φīweriyū? Old Irish Ériuder. Old English Īras Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-om Proto-Germanic *landą Proto-West Germanic *land Old English land Old English Īrland Middle English Irlond English Ireland From Middle English Ireland, Irelond, Irlond, Irland, from Old English Īrland. Perhaps also from Middle Irish Éire + -land, equivalent to Eire + -land. Ultimately from Old Irish Ériu (“Ireland”). See Irish.

Usage

When referring to the island as a whole, it is a proper noun and does not take an article.

© 2026 English Reference