Cuba

/ˈkjuːbə/ name

name ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A country, the largest island (based on land area) in the Caribbean. Capital and largest city: Havana.
  • Grammar: cuba is listed as name.
  • Nearest alternatives: country, government, island, island nation.
  • Usage evidence: A Cuba Libre is a cocktail with a rum base.

How to use "cuba"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cuba" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cuba" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cuba" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cuba" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "cuba" is acting as name in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "country" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "cuba", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A country, the largest island (based on land area) in the Caribbean. Capital and largest city: Havana.
  2. 2
    A village in Beja district, Portugal.
  3. 3
    A barangay of Kapangan, Benguet, Philippines.
  4. 4
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A town in Sumter County, Alabama.
  5. 5
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Early County, Georgia.
Show 19 more definitions
  1. 6
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A city in Fulton County, Illinois.
  2. 7
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A township in Lake County, Illinois.
  3. 8
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Springfield Township, Allen County, Indiana.
  4. 9
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Montgomery Township, Owen County, Indiana.
  5. 10
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A minor city in Republic County, Kansas.
  6. 11
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Graves County, Kentucky.
  7. 12
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A township in Becker County, Minnesota.
  8. 13
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A ghost town in Becker County, Minnesota.
  9. 14
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A city in Crawford County, Missouri.
  10. 15
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A ghost town in Lafayette County, Missouri.
  11. 16
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A village in Sandoval County, New Mexico.
  12. 17
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A town and village therein, in Allegany County, New York.
  13. 18
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A township in Barnes County, North Dakota.
  14. 19
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Washington Township, Clinton County, Ohio.
  15. 20
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Putnam County, Ohio.
  16. 21
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; An unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia.
  17. 22
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A former settlement in Lassen County, California.
  18. 23
    A locale in the United States; named for the island country.; A former settlement in Merced County, California.
  19. 24
    A surname.

Synonyms

All synonyms
countrygovernmentislandisland nationnationregime

Example

"A Cuba Libre is a cocktail with a rum base."

Common questions

What does "cuba" mean?

A country, the largest island (based on land area) in the Caribbean. Capital and largest city: Havana.

What is a synonym for "cuba"?

Common synonyms include: country, government, island, island nation, nation, regime.

How do you use "cuba" in a sentence?

A Cuba Libre is a cocktail with a rum base.

How do you pronounce "cuba"?

Pronounced /ˈkjuːbə/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Disputed; likely from Taíno cubao (“abundant fertile land”) or coabana (“great place”).

Etymology 2

From Portuguese Cuba, possibly of Arabic origin.

Etymology 3

Likely derived from Ibaloi.

More for "cuba"

Synonyms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsBrowse writing guidesExplore topic clusters