# green

/ˈɡɹin/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/green
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. color

adjective · CEFR A1

having the color of grass or leaves.

For teachers: of a hue between blue and yellow in the spectrum; the color of growing herbage.

- The hills were bright green after the heavy spring rains.
- The artist used a vibrant green pigment to capture the lush canopy of the tropical rainforest.

### 2. environmentally friendly

adjective · CEFR B1

supporting the protection of the environment.

For teachers: relating to or supporting environmentalism or ecological sustainability.

- Many people are switching to green energy to help the planet.
- The corporation faced intense scrutiny over its green credentials after reports of illegal waste disposal surfaced.

### 3. inexperienced

adjective · CEFR B2

new to a job or activity and lacking experience.

For teachers: lacking experience, sophistication, or maturity in a specific professional or social context.

- The new manager is a bit green, so he might need some help at first.
- Although the recruits were green, their enthusiasm during the initial training phase impressed the senior officers.

### 4. feeling sick

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

looking or feeling sick, especially like you might vomit.

For teachers: having a sickly or nauseated appearance, often associated with motion sickness.

- He looked a bit green after the long, bumpy boat ride.
- The passenger turned visibly green as the small aircraft hit a patch of severe turbulence over the mountains.

### 5. the color

noun · CEFR A1

the color between blue and yellow.

For teachers: the chromatic sensation produced by light of a wavelength between approximately 495 and 570 nanometres.

- She chose a dark green for the walls of her study.
- The subtle variations of green in the landscape painting were achieved through complex layering of glazes.

### 6. vegetables

noun · CEFR B1

green vegetables, especially the leaves that you cook and eat.

For teachers: leafy green vegetables, typically served as a cooked side dish.

- You should eat your greens if you want to stay healthy.
- The chef prepared a side of seasonal greens sautéed with garlic and a hint of lemon zest.

### 7. public grass area

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

an area of grass in the middle of a town or village for everyone to use.

For teachers: a common area of grassy land within a village or town, often used for recreation.

- The children were playing football on the village green.
- The annual summer fair is traditionally held on the town green, attracting residents from all the surrounding parishes.

### 8. golf

noun · CEFR B2

the area of very short grass around the hole on a golf course.

For teachers: the area of closely mown grass surrounding the hole on a golf course fairway.

- He managed to get the ball onto the green in just two shots.
- The golfer carefully studied the slope of the green before attempting the final putt of the tournament.

### 9. money

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

a slang word for paper money.

For teachers: a slang term for paper currency, specifically US banknotes.

- He's only doing that job because he wants the green.
- In the underground economy of the city, nothing talks louder than a stack of cold, hard green.

## Examples

- Many Greens support renewable energy.
- The local Greens are protesting the construction of the new factory.
- The coalition government was formed between the mainstream party and the Greens, who insisted on new environmental protection laws as a condition of their support.

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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.