country
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a nation or state with its own government and land.
n.the territory of a sovereign state or a nation with distinct political and social institutions.
Simple“How many countries have you visited in Europe?”
In context“The treaty was signed by over fifty countries, each pledging to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.land that is away from big towns and cities, often with farms and fields.
n.rural areas or the countryside, typically contrasted with urban or industrial environments.
Simple“We love to spend our weekends walking in the country.”
In context“After years of living in a cramped city apartment, they decided to move to the country for a quieter pace of life.”
PitfallI live in country. I live in the country.When referring to the countryside, you must use the definite article 'the'.
Synonymscountrysiderural area - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a style of popular music that comes from the rural southern US.
n.a genre of popular music originating in the rural southern United States, typically featuring acoustic guitars and fiddles.
Simple“She listens to country whenever she goes for a long drive.”
In context“The festival features a mix of traditional country and modern folk, attracting fans from across the state.”
Synonymscountry and western - 04 C1 Advanced
n.the traditional lands of Indigenous people, including the nature and spirits there.
n.traditional lands of Indigenous people, particularly in Australia, encompassing cultural, spiritual, and ecological values.
Simple“The elders spoke about the importance of caring for Country.”
In context“The project was developed in close consultation with the local community to ensure the protection of sacred sites on Country.”
UsageOften capitalized as 'Country' in this specific sense.
Synonymsancestral lands - 05 C2 Proficiency
n.the rock that surrounds a vein of metal or coal.
n.the rock through which a vein of ore or coal runs; also known as country rock.
Simple“The miners had to drill through the hard country to reach the gold.”
In context“Geologists analyzed the interface between the quartz vein and the surrounding country to determine the age of the deposit.”
Synonymshost rock - 06 B1 Intermediate
adj.related to the countryside or a simple, rural way of life.
adj.pertaining to or characteristic of the countryside or rural life.
Simple“The hotel had a lovely country feel with its wooden furniture and fireplace.”
In context“The menu features traditional country cooking, using ingredients sourced directly from nearby family farms.”
country vs countryside — Country is a political nation or state, while countryside is the rural land away from cities.
Usage countries like · country in the world · country of origin
From Middle English contre, contree, contreie, from Old French contree, cuntrede, from Vulgar Latin *(terra) contrata (“(land) lying opposite; (land) spread before one”) (also in Medieval Latin as "country, region"), from Latin contrā (“against, opposite”) (whence contra-). Cognate with Scots kintra. Unrelated to county. Displaced native English land in some of its senses. From around 1300 as "area surrounding a walled city or town; the open country." By early 16th century the sense was applied mostly to rural areas, as opposed to towns and cities. Compare typologically Russian страна́ (straná), сторона́ (storoná).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.