Definition

A person who lives on the mainland, especially in contrast to those living on islands or in other regions.

Example

The mainlander shared stories about life in the city with the islanders.

Conversation

Have you ever met a mainlander before?

Yeah, I met a few when I visited China last year.

What were they like compared to locals here?

They were really friendly and had some interesting stories to share.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mainlander → It is formed from "mainland" (from Old English "mǣnland", meaning the principal land as opposed to islands) and "-er" (meaning a person who). A mainlander is a person who lives on the mainland as opposed to an island.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who lives on the 'mainland' — that's what a 'mainlander' is, a person from the main land.

Visually Confused Words