ENGLISH
REFERENCE

environmental

adj. · n.
US //ɪnˌvaɪɹənˈmɛnəɫ// UK //ɛnvˌaɪɹənmˈɛntəl// en·vi·ron·men·tal
  1. 1 relating to nature (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    relating to the natural world of land, sea, air, plants, and animals.

    pertaining to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its ecosystems.

    Example

    The government is introducing new environmental laws to protect the local forests.

    Example

    The environmental impact of the proposed dam was debated for months by local activists and government engineers.

    Usage

    Always used before a noun.

  2. 2 eco-friendly (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    designed to protect the planet or cause as little damage as possible.

    intended to minimize damage to the natural environment; often used as a synonym for 'green' or 'sustainable'.

    Example

    Many people prefer to buy environmental products even if they cost a bit more.

    Example

    The company rebranded its cleaning line to highlight its environmental benefits, focusing on biodegradable ingredients and recycled packaging.

    Usage

    Commonly used in marketing and policy contexts.

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  1. 3 operating conditions (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    the physical conditions like temperature or space where computer equipment is kept.

    physical factors relating to the environment in which hardware is operated, such as temperature, humidity, or rack space.

    Example

    The technician checked the room's environmentals to make sure the servers wouldn't overheat.

    Example

    Before the new data centre went live, the engineers spent a week monitoring the environmentals to ensure optimal airflow across the server racks.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural form 'environmentals'.

Origin

From environment + -al.

Word family

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