A1 noun Neutral

undergrowth

/ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/

Undergrowth refers to the small plants, bushes, and shrubs that grow on the ground beneath the taller trees in a forest or wood. It is often dense and can make walking through the area difficult.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The rabbit quickly disappeared into the thick undergrowth.

The rabbit quickly disappeared into the thick undergrowth.

2

Ecologists are studying the diversity of species found within the forest undergrowth.

Ecologists are studying the diversity of species found within the forest undergrowth.

3

We had to push our way through all that messy undergrowth to get to the river.

We had to push our way through all that messy undergrowth to get to the river.

Word Family

Noun
undergrowth
Related
growth
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Memory Tip

Just look at the parts: 'under' + 'growth'. It is the 'growth' (plants) that happens 'under' the big trees.

Quick Quiz

The hikers found it difficult to move because the _____ was so thick.

Correct!

The correct answer is: undergrowth

Examples

1

The rabbit quickly disappeared into the thick undergrowth.

everyday

The rabbit quickly disappeared into the thick undergrowth.

2

Ecologists are studying the diversity of species found within the forest undergrowth.

formal

Ecologists are studying the diversity of species found within the forest undergrowth.

3

We had to push our way through all that messy undergrowth to get to the river.

informal

We had to push our way through all that messy undergrowth to get to the river.

4

The density of the undergrowth is a primary factor in the spread of wildfires.

academic

The density of the undergrowth is a primary factor in the spread of wildfires.

5

The construction crew needs to clear the undergrowth before they can start building the fence.

business

The construction crew needs to clear the undergrowth before they can start building the fence.

Word Family

Noun
undergrowth
Related
growth

Common Collocations

thick undergrowth thick undergrowth
dense undergrowth dense undergrowth
tangled undergrowth tangled undergrowth
clear the undergrowth clear the undergrowth
hide in the undergrowth hide in the undergrowth

Common Phrases

lost in the undergrowth

lost in the undergrowth

hidden in the undergrowth

hidden in the undergrowth

choked with undergrowth

choked with undergrowth

Often Confused With

undergrowth vs underground

Underground refers to things beneath the soil, while undergrowth refers to plants growing on top of the soil but under trees.

undergrowth vs underbrush

These are synonyms, but underbrush is more common in American English, while undergrowth is common in both.

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Usage Notes

It is almost always used as an uncountable noun to describe a collective mass of plants. You rarely see it used in the plural form.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to say 'undergrowths' to describe multiple patches, but 'undergrowth' is generally treated as a mass noun.

💡

Memory Tip

Just look at the parts: 'under' + 'growth'. It is the 'growth' (plants) that happens 'under' the big trees.

📖

Word Origin

A compound of the English preposition 'under' and the noun 'growth', first recorded in the 16th century.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Usually takes a singular verb Often preceded by 'the' or adjectives like 'thick' or 'dense'

Quick Quiz

The hikers found it difficult to move because the _____ was so thick.

Correct!

The correct answer is: undergrowth

More nature words

rainforest

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

Vegetation 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

A1

Foliage 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

A1

A 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

A1

Photosynthesis 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

A1

Pollination 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

A1

A 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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