British

1. 1
   of the countryadjectivewith the

   From or connected with Britain (the United Kingdom) or its people.

   She showed her British passport at the airport.

   His family is British, from a small town near London.

   UsageStart it with a capital B. It includes Scotland and Wales, not just England.

2. 2
   nounpluralwith the

   The people who come from or live in Britain (the United Kingdom).

   The British are famous for drinking lots of tea.

   The British drive on the left side of the road.

   UsageSay the British are. For one person, say a British person (not incorrect: a British).

3. 3
   of the Empireadjectivewith the

   Belonging to the British Empire or the group of countries linked to it.

   British colonies once covered much of the map.

   Many British territories later became independent nations.

4. 4
   UK-style Englishadjectivewith the

   Belonging to the kind of English used in Britain.

   The dictionary lists both American and British spellings.

   Her teacher preferred British pronunciation in class.

5. 5
   of the Islesadjectivehistoricalwith the

   Belonging to the group of islands known as the British Isles.

   On this old map, Ireland is shown as one of the British islands.

   Ireland and Great Britain are the two largest of the British Isles.

   Note

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