Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A country in South Asia: The Maldives is a sovereign island nation located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It is an archipelago comprising a chain of small coral islands.
   • The islands forming this nation: The term also refers to the extensive group of about 1,200 small coral islands that constitute the territory of the country.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Country):
  • We are planning a vacation to the Maldives next year.
  • The Maldives is known for its stunning white-sand beaches and clear blue lagoons.
• Proper noun (Islands):
  • The coral atolls of the Maldives are vulnerable to rising sea levels.
  • Many of the islands in the Maldives are uninhabited.

Advanced Usage

• "The Republic of Maldives": The official long-form name of the country.
  • The Republic of Maldives became a member of the United Nations in 1965.

Variants and Related Words

• Maldivian (adjective): Of or relating to the Maldives, its people, or their culture.
  • We enjoyed traditional Maldivian cuisine.
• Maldivian (noun): A native or inhabitant of the Maldives.
  • The Maldivians are primarily ethnically South Indian.

Synonyms

• The Maldive Islands: An alternative name for the island chain and country.

Notes on Meaning

The word "Maldives" functions exclusively as a proper noun. It consistently refers to the specific island nation and its constituent geography. The provided reference context correctly notes it is a republic that achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and consists of many small coral islands, only some of which are inhabited.

Noun

1. a group of about 1,200 small coral islands (about 220 inhabited) in the Indian ocean
2. a republic on the Maldive Islands; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965