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Glite Dictionary
Leeward Islands

Leeward Islands

5.1
A group of islands in the northeast Caribbean that are part of the Lesser Antilles
  • proper noun
translation icon : Islas de Sotavento
  • Tourism is a major industry in the Leeward Islands.

Examples

  • The Leeward Islands are known for their beautiful beaches and tropical climate.

  • The Leeward Islands are known for their beautiful beaches.

  • During hurricane season, the Leeward Islands can be particularly vulnerable to storms.

  • Have you ever visited the Leeward Islands?

  • The Leeward Islands consist of several beautiful destinations, including Antigua, Barbuda, and St. Kitts.

  • Tourists often visit the Leeward Islands for their stunning beaches and vibrant culture.

  • The geography of the Leeward Islands offers a range of scenic landscapes and tropical climates.

Surface Forms

Leeward Islands main

Morphology

leeward + island

The compound is directly compositional: 'leeward' = toward the downwind side and 'islands' = pieces of land surrounded by water, so a learner who knows both words can infer these are islands on the downwind side. This is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common windward/leeward naming pattern (the precise geographic extent requires world-knowledge but does not affect morphological transparency).

Etymology

Leeward Islands gets its name from a sailing word. Sailors called the side of an island away from the wind leeward, meaning 'sheltered from the wind', so the name shows these islands are on the more protected side away from the main winds.