terrain
Terrain refers to the physical features or the shape of a piece of land. It describes whether the ground is flat, hilly, rocky, or difficult to travel across.
Examples
3 of 5The park has very flat terrain, so it is easy to walk there.
The ground in the park is flat and easy for walking.
The explorers documented the rugged terrain of the mountain range.
The travelers wrote about the rough ground of the mountains.
Watch your step because the terrain here is really rocky.
Be careful because the ground has many rocks.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Terrain starts with 'Ter' just like 'Terra' (the Latin word for Earth). Think of an 'All-Terrain' bike that goes on any ground.
Quick Quiz
The hikers struggled because the _____ was very steep and rocky.
Correct!
The correct answer is: terrain
Examples
The park has very flat terrain, so it is easy to walk there.
everydayThe ground in the park is flat and easy for walking.
The explorers documented the rugged terrain of the mountain range.
formalThe travelers wrote about the rough ground of the mountains.
Watch your step because the terrain here is really rocky.
informalBe careful because the ground has many rocks.
The research paper analyzes how the local terrain affects water flow.
academicThe study looks at how the shape of the land moves water.
Our new vehicles are designed to handle any type of terrain.
businessOur new cars can drive on any kind of ground.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
all-terrain vehicle
a vehicle that can drive on rocks, mud, and sand
familiar terrain
a place or subject that you know well
cover the terrain
to travel over or discuss an entire area
Often Confused With
Terrain is about physical shape (hills/rocks), while territory is about who owns the land (countries/regions).
Usage Notes
Use 'terrain' when you want to describe the physical difficulty or appearance of the ground, especially for hiking or driving.
Common Mistakes
Do not use 'terrain' to mean a general country or nation; use 'country' or 'territory' for that.
Memory Tip
Terrain starts with 'Ter' just like 'Terra' (the Latin word for Earth). Think of an 'All-Terrain' bike that goes on any ground.
Word Origin
Derived from the French word 'terrain' and the Latin 'terra', meaning earth or land.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'terrain' is a key word used in outdoor hobbies like hiking, mountain biking, and off-road driving.
Quick Quiz
The hikers struggled because the _____ was very steep and rocky.
Correct!
The correct answer is: terrain
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