motu
- noun
- Australian
- The resort's private motu was ideal for snorkeling and exploring the vibrant coral reefs.
- a small motu
Examples
-
After a short boat ride, we arrived at the secluded motu, where we could fish and swim in clear waters.
-
On the motu at Maupiti, Venus with Chinese eyes, twenty-four years old.
Academic text (1996) -
One held on the motu (reef island) had guests who changed into pareu or shorts before boarding canoes for the motu.
Academic text (1994) -
One held on the motu (reef island) had guests who changed into pareu or shorts before boarding canoes for the motu.
Academic text (1994) -
We spent the day relaxing on a beautiful motu, enjoying the sunshine and the sound of the waves.
Synonyms
A piece of land completely surrounded by water smaller than a continent
A small low island often with sand and surrounded by sea
A small island that often appears in poems or stories
A very small island often in a river or lake
A small island in a river
A small island in a river or near a larger island
An old word for an area of land surrounded by water
How Big
Surface Forms
Etymology
Motu comes from Pacific languages where it means 'island' or 'islet', for example in Maori and Tongan, so a motu is a small, low island often found in a tropical lagoon.