marine
gb/mɚˈin/ us/mɚˈin/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to the sea or ocean
About the sea or ocean, or living in it.
Usage pattern:
[marine] [animal/plant/environment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'marine' with 'maritime'; 'maritime' refers more to human activities related to the sea, while 'marine' refers to the natural sea environment.
Synonyms
oceanic (More specifically refers to the open ocean, often in scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
terrestrial (Refers to land rather than the sea.)
Collocations
marine life
|marine environment
|marine species
|marine biology
|marine ecosystem
Themes
nature
|science
|geography
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Marine animals like dolphins are highly intelligent.
- The coral reef is home to a variety of marine species.
- Marine pollution is a growing environmental concern.
- She is studying marine biology at university.
- The submarine explored the deep marine environment.
Learner examples
- Dolphins are marine animals.
- We saw many marine fish in the aquarium.
- Marine life is important for our planet.
- Marine plants grow in the ocean.
Noun
B1
entity
2
A navy's infantry soldier
A soldier who works for a navy and can fight on land and at sea.
Usage pattern:
[a/an] marine
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'marine' (soldier) with 'sailor'; sailors mainly work on ships, while marines are trained for combat on both land and sea.
Synonyms
naval infantryman (More technical military term for a marine.)
Antonyms
civilian (A person not serving in the armed forces.)
Collocations
U.S. Marine
|Royal Marine
|Marine Corps
|Marine base
Themes
military
|security
|work
|politics
Examples
- The Marines were deployed overseas for a peacekeeping mission.
- He served as a Marine for eight years.
- Marines are trained for both land and sea combat.
- The U.S. Marines landed on the beach at dawn.
Learner examples
- My brother is a Marine.
- The Marines are part of the navy.
- A Marine can fight on land and water.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Related to shipping or seafaring
About ships and traveling by sea.
Usage pattern:
[marine] [law/insurance/navigation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'maritime', which is more widely used for human-related sea activities; 'marine' here is more technical or formal.
Synonyms
maritime (More common in reference to legal, commercial, and navigational matters.)
Collocations
marine navigation
|marine insurance
|marine engineering
Themes
transportation
|law
|travel
Examples
- The company specializes in marine insurance policies.
- He studied marine engineering at college.
- Marine navigation has improved greatly with GPS technology.
Learner examples
- Marine law is about ships and the sea.
- He works in marine transport.
- Marine insurance helps ship owners.
Grammar
Dictionary form
marine
IPA
GB/mɚˈin/
US/mɚˈin/
Syllables & stress
mar - ine (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mar)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: marine
Noun
- Base: marine
- Plural: marines
Word family
Expressions
marine life
1/mɚˈin lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
Plants and animals in the sea
Animals and plants that live in the ocean.
Examples
- Pollution is a major threat to marine life.
- We saw beautiful marine life while snorkeling.
marine biology
1/mɚˈin baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
Study of sea life
The science of studying living things in the ocean.
Examples
- She is studying marine biology at university.
- She wants to work in marine biology after graduation.
- Marine biology involves research on fish, corals, and other sea creatures.
- Marine biology covers everything from coral reefs to deep-sea fish.
Marine Corps
1/mɚˈin kˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
Naval infantry branch of military
A part of a country's military that fights on land and at sea, especially in the U.S.
Examples
- He joined the Marine Corps right after high school.
- He enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school.
- The Marine Corps celebrated its anniversary with a parade.
- The Marine Corps has a reputation for tough training and high discipline.
- Her grandfather served in the Marine Corps during the war.