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Riviera

Riviera

26 5.7
A Mediterranean coastal area between Italy and France with sunny resorts
  • proper noun
translation icon : Riviera
  • Every inch of the French Riviera is carpeted with people.
  • the French Riviera

Examples

  • And in fact, they landed on the Riviera in France and did pretty well for themselves afterwards.

  • But now after coming here, seeing the French Riviera and Monaco, I would highly recommend it.

  • The first day on the Riviera went by without incident.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Then go to the Riviera, and good luck to you.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I was on holiday in the Riviera.

  • But now and then pack and sail away, for a simple Riviera holiday.

  • She'll look after you, as the rest of us are off to the Riviera.

  • A couple of tycoons have been exiled as far away as London or the French Riviera.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Princess Jackie called Robert and Margo one Saturday night from her place in Cagnes on the French Riviera.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I spent a week enjoying the sun and beautiful beaches on the Riviera.

Synonyms

French Riviera
vsRiviera
4 3.3

A coastal region in southeastern France known for sunny beaches and luxury resorts

is broader and includes the same coast plus the Italian stretch to La Spezia
Côte d'Azur
vsRiviera
1 6.5

A warm Mediterranean coast in southeastern France with beaches and towns like Nice and Cannes

is broader and also includes the Mediterranean coast eastward to La Spezia in Italy

Compounds

A coastal region in southeastern France known for sunny beaches and luxury resorts

Surface Forms

Riviera main

Etymology

Riviera comes from the Italian riviera, from riva meaning 'shore' or 'bank', and from Latin ripa 'bank'. Think of the English word river — both words are about water and the land next to it. So Riviera literally means a coast by the water, which is why it now names the sunny Mediterranean coast known for beaches and resorts.