Meaning & use
Islay
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproperScottish
A Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides, known for its whisky distilleries and wildlife.
Grammar: A proper noun with no article: we sailed to Islay.
Patterns
- on Islay
- the island of Islay
They took the ferry to Islay for a weekend of walking.
Islay has about nine whisky distilleries.
Thousands of geese spend winter on Islay.
adjectivebefore a nounScottishinformal
Describing a smoky, peaty single malt Scotch whisky made on the island.
Grammar: Used before a noun, often with whisky: an Islay malt.
Patterns
- an Islay whisky
He prefers an Islay malt for its smoky flavor.
An Islay whisky usually tastes of peat and sea air.
Common combinations
- Islay whisky
- Islay whisky is known for its smoky taste.
- Islay malt
- She poured a small glass of Islay malt.
- island of Islay
- The island of Islay is a short flight from Glasgow.
- visit Islay
- We plan to visit Islay next summer.
- Islay distillery
- Each Islay distillery offers guided tours.
Synonyms and how they differ
- peaty whisky
- Peaty whisky describes a style, while Islay names a specific place of origin.
Word family
- Hebrides proper noun
- the island group Islay belongs to
- Scotch noun
- whisky made in Scotland
Commonly confused: Islay or isle?
Islay vs isle
Isle is an English word for island and the s is silent, as in Islay.
Practice
How is Islay pronounced?
Choose one answer.
Islay is pronounced EYE-luh, with a silent s, like isle. The other options sound out the s.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Islay”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.