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Glite Dictionary
Diamond State

Diamond State

3.9
A nickname for the United States state of Delaware
  • proper noun
  • /ˈdaɪəˌmənd steɪt/
translation icon : Estado Diamante
  • Delaware is often referred to as the Diamond State.

Examples

  • Dover is the capital of the Diamond State.

  • The Diamond State was one of the original thirteen American colonies.

  • Many people visit the Diamond State each year to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

  • Did you know that Diamond State is a nickname for Delaware?

  • Delaware, also known as the Diamond State, is famous for its corporate-friendly laws.

  • Every summer, tourists flock to the Diamond State to experience its charming coastal towns.

  • The Diamond State has a rich history as one of the original thirteen colonies of the United States.

Synonyms

DE
vsDiamond State
  • US
843 1.0

A short form for the US state Delaware

is an informal nickname not the official abbreviation
Delaware
vsDiamond State
119 1.6

A small state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States with capital Dover

is an informal nickname rather than the official state name
First State
vsDiamond State
1 3.2

The U.S. state Delaware that first approved the U.S. Constitution

is a nickname based on a different idea rather than ratification history
Del.
vsDiamond State
3.4

A short form for the US state Delaware

is an informal nickname rather than a written abbreviation

Surface Forms

Diamond State main

Morphology

Diamond + state

This is a conventionalized proper name referring specifically to the US state of Delaware; knowing 'diamond' (a gemstone) and 'state' (a political region) does not let a learner deduce that it is a nickname for that particular state. The referent is arbitrary and culturally specific rather than compositionally derived from the constituents, so it would not be predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Diamond State may come from a simple idea: people saw Delaware as small on the map but very valuable, like a tiny diamond. That's why the phrase is a 'nickname for the US state of Delaware'.