# country

/ˈkəntɹi/ (US) · /kˈʌntɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/country
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a nation

noun · CEFR A1

a nation or state with its own government and land.

For teachers: the territory of a sovereign state or a nation with distinct political and social institutions.

- How many countries have you visited in Europe?
- The treaty was signed by over fifty countries, each pledging to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade.

### 2. rural areas

noun · CEFR A2

land that is away from big towns and cities, often with farms and fields.

For teachers: rural areas or the countryside, typically contrasted with urban or industrial environments.

- We love to spend our weekends walking in the country.
- After years of living in a cramped city apartment, they decided to move to the country for a quieter pace of life.

### 3. music style

noun · CEFR B1

a style of popular music that comes from the rural southern US.

For teachers: a genre of popular music originating in the rural southern United States, typically featuring acoustic guitars and fiddles.

- She listens to country whenever she goes for a long drive.
- The festival features a mix of traditional country and modern folk, attracting fans from across the state.

### 4. Indigenous lands

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

the traditional lands of Indigenous people, including the nature and spirits there.

For teachers: traditional lands of Indigenous people, particularly in Australia, encompassing cultural, spiritual, and ecological values.

- The elders spoke about the importance of caring for Country.
- The project was developed in close consultation with the local community to ensure the protection of sacred sites on Country.

Usage: Often capitalized as 'Country' in this specific sense.

### 5. mining rock

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the rock that surrounds a vein of metal or coal.

For teachers: the rock through which a vein of ore or coal runs; also known as country rock.

- The miners had to drill through the hard country to reach the gold.
- Geologists analyzed the interface between the quartz vein and the surrounding country to determine the age of the deposit.

### 6. rural or rustic

adjective · CEFR B1

related to the countryside or a simple, rural way of life.

For teachers: pertaining to or characteristic of the countryside or rural life.

- The hotel had a lovely country feel with its wooden furniture and fireplace.
- The menu features traditional country cooking, using ingredients sourced directly from nearby family farms.

## Examples

- France is a beautiful country in Europe.
- After living in the city for ten years, they decided to move to the country for a quieter life.
- The treaty was signed by every country in the region to ensure that trade remained open and peaceful for the next decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.