Islet vs. Island — What's the Difference?

An islet is a very small island. Most definitions are not precise, but some suggest that an islet has little or no vegetation, and cannot support human habitation.

An island or isle is any piece of subcontinental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys.

A very small island

Abbr. Isl. or Is. or I. A landmass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.

A small island.

An unattached kitchen counter providing easy access from all sides.

(biology) An isolated piece of tissue that has a specific function.

A raised curbed area, often used to delineate rows of parking spaces or lanes of traffic.

A little island.

The superstructure of a ship, especially an aircraft carrier.

A small island

(Anatomy) A cluster of cells differing in structure or function from the cells constituting the surrounding tissue.

To make into or as if into an island; insulate

A contiguous area of land, smaller than a continent, totally surrounded by water.

(by extension, in place names) A contiguous area of land, smaller than a continent, partially surrounded by water; A peninsula; A half-island.

An entity surrounded by other entities that are very different from itself.

A superstructure on an aircraft carrier's deck.

A traffic island.

(by extension, West Midlands dialect) A roundabout; A traffic circle.

A bench, counter, etc., that is not connected to a wall or other furniture and which can be used from any side.

(government) An unincorporated area wholly surrounded by one or more incorporated areas.

(grammar) A phrase from which a wh-word cannot be extracted without yielding invalid grammar.

(transitive) To surround with water; make into an island.

(transitive) To set, dot (as if) with islands.

(transitive) To isolate.

A tract of land surrounded by water, and smaller than a continent. Cf. Continent.

Anything regarded as resembling an island; as, an island of ice.

To cause to become or to resemble an island; to make an island or islands of; to isle.

To furnish with an island or with islands; as, to island the deep.

A land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

A zone or area resembling an island