# surroundings

/sɝˈaʊndɪŋz/ (US) · /səɹˈaʊndɪŋz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surroundings
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. environment

noun · CEFR B2

the place where you are and the things that are around you.

For teachers: the physical area and conditions surrounding a person or thing; the environment or setting.

- The hotel was simple, but the natural surroundings were beautiful.
- After living in a crowded city for years, she found it difficult to adjust to the quiet surroundings of the countryside.

Usage: Always used in the plural form when referring to an environment.

### 2. thermodynamics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

everything in the universe that is not part of the specific system being studied.

For teachers: the portion of the universe outside the boundaries of a thermodynamic system.

- Heat is transferred from the chemical reaction to its surroundings.
- In an isolated system, there is no exchange of either matter or energy with the surroundings.

Usage: Used to distinguish the external environment from the internal system in physics and chemistry.

## Examples

- The animals are happy in their natural surroundings.
- After living in a busy city for years, she found the quiet surroundings of the countryside very peaceful.
- The architect designed the building to blend seamlessly into its mountainous surroundings, using local stone and timber to mirror the textures of the natural landscape.

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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.