English Reference
noun · verb

landscape

n. · v.
US /ˈɫænˌskeɪp/ UK /lˈændskeɪp/ land·scape UK spelling landscapes

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.the visible features of an area of land, including hills, trees, and buildings.

    n.the visible features of an area of land, considered in terms of their aesthetic or geographical appeal.

    Simple

    The desert landscape was beautiful but very dry and rocky.

    In context

    The rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands attracts thousands of hikers and photographers every year.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a picture or painting that shows a natural scene like a forest or valley.

    n.a genre of art or a specific work depicting natural inland scenery.

    Simple

    She prefers painting landscapes rather than people.

    In context

    The gallery features several nineteenth-century landscapes that capture the dramatic light of the English countryside.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Computing

    n.a way of printing a document so that the page is wider than it is tall.

    n.a page orientation in which the horizontal dimension is greater than the vertical dimension.

    Simple

    You should print the spreadsheet in landscape so all the columns fit.

    In context

    The default setting is portrait, but for wide tables, the landscape orientation is much more practical.

    Usage

    Often used as a modifier before 'mode' or 'orientation'.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Academic

    n.the general situation or set of conditions in a particular area of activity.

    n.the metaphorical environment or state of affairs within a specific field or industry.

    Simple

    The political landscape has changed a lot since the last election.

    In context

    Recent technological advancements have completely transformed the competitive landscape of the telecommunications industry.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to improve the appearance of an area of land by planting trees or flowers.

    v.to modify the visible features of an area of land for aesthetic or functional purposes.

    Simple

    They hired a professional to landscape their backyard.

    In context

    The developers spent a significant portion of the budget to landscape the corporate campus with native plants and walking paths.

    gardenbeautify

Countries across Europe were battling a wave of new wildfires Friday as blistering temperatures and tinder-dry landscapes made for dangerous conditions.

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

Spain often gets referred to as a land of contrasts due to its regional differences, varying landscapes, rich gastronomy and different languages.

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

From an alteration (due to Dutch landschap) of earlier landskip, lantschip, from Middle English landschippe, landschapp, from Old English landsċipe, landsċeap (“region, district, tract of land”); in some senses from Dutch landschap (“region, district, province, landscape”), from Middle Dutch landscap, lantscap (“region”), from Old Dutch landskepi, landskapi (“region”). Cognate with Scots landskape, landskep, landskip (“landscape”), West Frisian lânskip (“landscape”), Low German landschop (“landscape, district”), German Landschaft (“landscape, countryside, scenery”), Danish landskab (“landscape, countryside”), Swedish landskap (“landscape, scenery, province”), Icelandic landskapur (“countryside”). By surface analysis, land + -ship.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Dutch landschap
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated