europe

europe — noun

1. one of the seven continents of the world, located between the Atlantic Ocean on

1.nounB1
Definition

one of the seven continents of the world, located between the Atlantic Ocean on its western side and Asia on its eastern side

Example

Omar has visited more than twelve countries across Europe this year alone.

collocation: across Europe

Eastern Europe has many historic cities that attract millions of visitors each year.

collocation: Eastern/Western/Northern/Southern Europe

Common collocations
  • across Europe
  • in Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • Western Europe
  • Northern Europe
  • Southern Europe
  • Central Europe
  • throughout Europe

Usage Note

Always capitalised as a proper noun. When used with directional labels (Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern), no article is needed: 'in Southern Europe' (not 'in the Southern Europe').

Common Mistakes

He traveled to the Europe.
He traveled to Europe.
Do not use 'the' before 'Europe' as a continent name, except in phrases like 'the Europe of the 1800s'.

2. the group of European countries that work together on trade, laws, and travel, k

2.nounB1
Definition

the group of European countries that work together on trade, laws, and travel, known formally as the European Union

Example

Products made in Europe must meet strict safety rules set by the EU.

collocation: made in Europe

Citizens of Europe can travel freely between most EU countries without a visa.

Common collocations
  • in Europe (EU context)
  • across Europe (EU regulations)
  • trade with Europe
  • exports to Europe
  • made in Europe
Synonyms
  • European Union

    the full formal name; more precise in legal or political writing

  • EU

    abbreviation; common in news and business contexts

Usage Note

In this sense, 'Europe' is used as a shorthand for the European Union. The context (trade, laws, regulations, the EU) signals this meaning rather than the geographic continent.

Common Mistakes

Switzerland is in Europe' (when meaning the EU).
Switzerland is in Europe but is not in the EU.
Not all European countries are members of the European Union; countries like Switzerland and Norway are geographically in Europe but not EU members.

3. the countries of Europe other than the United Kingdom, used especially when disc

3.nounB2
Definition

the countries of Europe other than the United Kingdom, used especially when discussing travel, business, or politics after Brexit

Example

After Brexit, trade between the UK and mainland Europe became more complicated.

collocation: mainland Europe (post-Brexit)

The train from London to mainland Europe now requires additional customs checks.

Common collocations
  • mainland Europe
  • continental Europe
  • the UK and mainland Europe
  • trade with mainland Europe
Synonyms
  • mainland Europe

    the most common expression; emphasises the contrast with island-based UK

  • continental Europe

    more formal; also used in geographic contexts excluding the British Isles

Usage Note

Commonly paired with 'mainland' ('mainland Europe') to draw a clear contrast with the UK. This sense gained frequent use after the 2016 Brexit referendum. It refers to a political and administrative boundary, not a geographic one — geographically, the UK is part of the European continent.

europe — geographical name

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Europe" (continent sense) names a specific continent as a geographic and cultural region. "Continent" is a general category — any of the seven large landmasses — whereas "Europe" is the proper name. "Mainland Europe" specifically draws a contrast with the British Isles or the UK, so you would say "continental Europe" or "mainland Europe" when you need to exclude islands. The "European Union" (EU) is a political and economic bloc that includes only some European countries — not all European nations are members. "Eurasia" refers to the single landmass combining Europe and Asia, treating Europe as its western peninsula; this term is common in geography and earth sciences. "The West" is a broader cultural and political concept encompassing Europe, North America, and other regions with shared historical roots. For example: "Switzerland is in Europe but not in the EU," while "mainland Europe includes France and Germany, but not the UK."

continent ↗mainland EuropeEuropean UnionEurasiathe West

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • Eastern / Western / Northern / Southern / Central Europe
  • mainland Europe
  • continental Europe
  • Europe-wide
  • across Europe
  • in Europe

Prepositions

Etymology

PhoenicianGreekLatinEnglish

From Latin 'Eurōpa', borrowed from Ancient Greek 'Εὐρώπη' (Eurṓpē). In Greek mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess abducted by Zeus. The name may ultimately derive from a Semitic source — possibly Phoenician 'ereb' (sunset, west) — reflecting how the continent appeared as the land to the west from the perspective of the eastern Mediterranean.