Forest: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒฒ
Add to dictionary

forest

 

[ หˆfษ’rษชst ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000 Nature
Context #1 | Noun

natural habitat

A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.

Synonyms

jungle, rainforest, woodland.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
forest

A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. Suitable for general use when referring to extensive tree-covered areas.

  • We went hiking in the forest yesterday.
  • Forest fires can be devastating for wildlife.
woodland

An area covered with trees, smaller than a forest, often referring to a more managed or cultivated area.

  • The woodland trail is popular for short walks.
  • Woodland creatures include deer and rabbits.
jungle

A dense, tropical forest that is difficult to navigate. It can carry connotations of being wild and dangerous.

  • Exploring the jungle can be an adventurous experience.
  • The jungle is home to a variety of exotic animals.
rainforest

A type of dense, tropical forest that receives a large amount of rainfall. Often associated with rich biodiversity.

  • The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world.
  • Rainforests play a critical role in Earth's climate.

Examples of usage

  • He enjoyed taking long walks in the forest.
  • The forest was home to a variety of wildlife.
  • The forest was dense and difficult to navigate.
Context #2 | Noun

organized group

A large number or variety of anything.

Synonyms

cluster, maze, thicket.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
forest

A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. Used when referring to a vast space with dense trees, often in a natural setting.

  • We took a long hike through the forest.
  • Forests play a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystem.
thicket

A dense group of bushes or trees. Used to talk about a smaller but very dense area of plants, making it hard to see or move through.

  • The rabbit hid in the thicket.
  • He had to cut through the thicket to reach the river.
cluster

A group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together. Often used in a non-nature context to describe close groups of items, people, or buildings.

  • The scientists observed a cluster of stars in the night sky.
  • There was a small cluster of houses at the edge of the town.
maze

A network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle. Used to describe complex and confusing systems of paths, not typically referring to nature.

  • They got lost in the corn maze.
  • The old garden had a hedge maze.

Examples of usage

  • A forest of microphones surrounded the speaker.
  • A forest of flags lined the parade route.
Context #3 | Verb

covering or decorating

Cover or provide with a forest or trees.

Synonyms

adorn, decorate, embellish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
forest

Refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth, used in discussing nature, ecosystems, or outdoor activities.

  • They went hiking in the dense forest
  • The forest is home to many different species of wildlife
adorn

Used when talking about adding beauty or enhancing appearance, often in a sophisticated or formal manner.

  • The bride adorned herself with elegant jewelry for the wedding
  • The palace was adorned with magnificent tapestries
decorate

Common for general, everyday use when adding ornaments or furnishings to a space or object, especially during festivities.

  • We decorate the Christmas tree every year
  • She decorated the cake with colorful icing and sprinkles
embellish

Implies adding details to make something more attractive or interesting, often used in the context of stories or designs. Can have a slightly negative connotation when it implies exaggeration.

  • He embellished his story to make it more exciting
  • The artist embellished the painting with intricate details

Examples of usage

  • The walls were forested with ivy.
  • The table was forested with candles.

Translations

Translations of the word "forest" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น floresta

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเค‚เค—เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wald

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hutan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ las

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฃฎ (ใ‚‚ใ‚Š)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท forรชt

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ bosque

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท orman

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆฒ (sup)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบุงุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ les

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ les

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฃฎๆž— (sฤ“nlรญn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ gozd

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skรณgur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพั€ะผะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒงแƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ meลŸษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ bosque

Etymology

The word 'forest' originated from the Old French word 'forest', which came from the Latin word 'foris', meaning 'outside'. The term originally referred to a large area of land covered with trees for hunting. Over time, the meaning expanded to include any large area covered with trees and undergrowth. Forests play a crucial role in the ecosystem by providing habitat for wildlife, regulating the climate, and producing oxygen.

See also: before, forecastle, forefather, foreman, foremost, forepart, forever.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,611, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.