river
A large natural flow of water that travels across land and into the sea or a lake. It is a moving body of water that usually starts in mountains or hills.
Examples
3 of 5The children like to play by the river in summer.
The children like to play by the river in summer.
The proposed development is located adjacent to the river.
The proposed development is located adjacent to the river.
Let's go down to the river and hang out.
Let's go down to the river and hang out.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'R' in River as 'Running water'.
Quick Quiz
The Amazon is the longest ___ in South America.
Correct!
The correct answer is: river
Examples
The children like to play by the river in summer.
everydayThe children like to play by the river in summer.
The proposed development is located adjacent to the river.
formalThe proposed development is located adjacent to the river.
Let's go down to the river and hang out.
informalLet's go down to the river and hang out.
The Nile River was essential for the development of ancient civilizations.
academicThe Nile River was essential for the development of ancient civilizations.
The logistics team is investigating transport options across the river.
businessThe logistics team is investigating transport options across the river.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
river bed
river bed
up the river
up the river
mouth of the river
mouth of the river
Often Confused With
A lake is a still body of water surrounded by land, while a river is flowing water.
A stream is generally much smaller and narrower than a river.
Usage Notes
When naming a specific river, use 'the' before the name (e.g., The Thames, The Amazon).
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use 'the' when referring to specific rivers or confuse 'river' with 'sea' which is saltwater.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'R' in River as 'Running water'.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'riviere', which comes from the Latin 'riparius' meaning 'of a bank'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Many of the world's most famous cities, like London and Cairo, were built specifically next to rivers for trade and water.
Quick Quiz
The Amazon is the longest ___ in South America.
Correct!
The correct answer is: river
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A vessel of any size designed for navigation on water, rangi...
deltaA delta is a low, flat area of land where a river divides in...
waterA clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that is e...
bankA bank is a financial institution licensed to receive deposi...
bridgeUsed to describe something that serves as a transitional or...
More nature words
rainforest
A1A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.
tundra
A1A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.
wetland
A1A wetland is an area of land that is always wet or covered with shallow water. It is a very important place where many different plants and animals, like birds and frogs, live.
coral reef
A1A coral reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletons of small sea animals called corals. They are usually found in warm, shallow parts of the ocean and provide a home for many types of fish.
vegetation
A1Vegetation refers to all the plants and trees that grow in a particular area. It is used to describe the green cover of the earth, like forests or grass.
foliage
A1Foliage refers to the leaves of a plant or tree, considered as a group. It is often used to describe the overall appearance and mass of greenery in a landscape or forest.
canopy
A1A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.
photosynthesis
A1Photosynthesis is the natural process that green plants use to make their own food. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy and release oxygen into the air.
pollination
A1Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another to help plants make seeds and fruit. This is usually done by insects like bees or by the wind.
seedling
A1A seedling is a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It usually has a small green stem and its first few tiny leaves.
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