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Glite Dictionary
Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

4.6
An island in northwest Scotland with rough mountains and dramatic scenery
  • proper noun
translation icon : Isla de Skye
  • She spent her honeymoon exploring the castles and lochs of the Isle of Skye.

Examples

  • Many tourists visit the Isle of Skye to explore its beautiful landscapes.

  • Many artists visit the Isle of Skye to capture its dramatic scenery on canvas.

  • The Isle of Skye attracts thousands of hikers each year with its stunning mountain views.

  • The Isle of Skye is known for its stunning vistas.

  • Have you ever visited the Isle of Skye?

  • The Isle of Skye is known for its breathtaking views and stunning cliffs.

  • During our vacation, we hiked through the hills of the Isle of Skye.

Surface Forms

Isle of Skye main

Morphology

isle + of + Skye

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'isle' denotes a small island and 'of Skye' identifies which one, so the meaning 'the island called Skye' can be directly inferred from the parts. This place-naming pattern (isle/of + proper name) is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Isle of Skye may come from sailors long ago who called the place a 'cloud' or 'mist' island because its high mountains are often covered in low clouds. That strong picture of a cloudy, dramatic island helps explain the name for this rugged Scottish island.