A1 noun Neutral #2,723 most common

terrain

/təˈreɪn/

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 5
1

The park has very flat terrain, so it is easy to walk there.

The ground in the park is flat and easy for walking.

2

The explorers documented the rugged terrain of the mountain range.

The travelers wrote about the rough ground of the mountains.

3

Watch your step because the terrain here is really rocky.

Be careful because the ground has many rocks.

Word Family

Noun
terrain
Adjective
terrestrial
Related
territory
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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

1

The park has very flat terrain, so it is easy to walk there.

everyday

The ground in the park is flat and easy for walking.

2

The explorers documented the rugged terrain of the mountain range.

formal

The travelers wrote about the rough ground of the mountains.

3

Watch your step because the terrain here is really rocky.

informal

Be careful because the ground has many rocks.

4

The research paper analyzes how the local terrain affects water flow.

academic

The study looks at how the shape of the land moves water.

5

Our new vehicles are designed to handle any type of terrain.

business

Our new cars can drive on any kind of ground.

Word Family

Noun
terrain
Adjective
terrestrial
Related
territory

Common Collocations

rough terrain uneven or bumpy ground
mountainous terrain land with many mountains
difficult terrain land that is hard to move across
flat terrain level or even ground
rocky terrain land covered in rocks

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 vs territory

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

uncountable noun (usually) can be used as a countable noun when referring to different types (terrains) no gender
🌍

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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