Word
undergrowth
Phoneticsun·der·growth, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəndɝˌɡɹoʊθ/
UK/ˌʌndəɡɹˈəʊθ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. low bushes and small plants that grow under tall trees in a forest. You use this word when the ground is thick and hard to walk through.
n. dense low vegetation growing beneath taller trees or shrubs in a woodland or jungle.
Examples
“We push through the thick undergrowth to reach the river.”
“The hikers slowed down as the trail disappeared into dense undergrowth full of nettles and brambles.”
“After decades without management, the ancient woodland floor vanished beneath tangled undergrowth that sheltered deer and foxes but blocked light from young saplings.”
Examples
simple
“We push through the thick undergrowth to reach the river.”
contextual
“The hikers slowed down as the trail disappeared into dense undergrowth full of nettles and brambles.”
complex
“After decades without management, the ancient woodland floor vanished beneath tangled undergrowth that sheltered deer and foxes but blocked light from young saplings.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “undergrowth” in context.
Verb
01. clear undergrowth
“Volunteers helped clear undergrowth to reduce the risk of forest fires.”
verb + noun
02. cut through undergrowth
“He used a machete to cut through undergrowth and reach the river.”
verb + prep + noun
03. disappear into undergrowth
“The rabbit turned and disappeared into undergrowth.”
verb + prep + noun
04. emerge from undergrowth
“A wild boar suddenly emerged from undergrowth in front of us.”
verb + prep + noun
05. hide in undergrowth
“The fox cubs hide in undergrowth when they hear footsteps.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. dense undergrowth
“The path vanished into dense undergrowth that was almost impossible to walk through.”
adj + noun
07. lush undergrowth
“Monkeys swung above the lush undergrowth of the rainforest floor.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. movement in undergrowth
“We heard a movement in undergrowth and stopped to listen.”
noun + prep + noun
09. patch of undergrowth
“They set up camp in a dry patch of undergrowth near the trees.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a rustle in the undergrowth
“We heard a rustle in the undergrowth and saw a hedgehog emerge.”
11. clear a patch of undergrowth
“They cleared a patch of undergrowth to set up camp for the night.”
12. disappear into the undergrowth
“The tiger turned and disappeared into the undergrowth.”
Real-World Examples
“The car had crashed deep in undergrowth near a roundabout, and they were not found for 46 hours.” “The council indicated that the undergrowth would continue to be trimmed back to unveil more of the castle's remaining features, which is designated as Grade I-listed.” “Multiple fire crews tackled the blaze, which affected a large area of undergrowth and woodland” “The fire broke out among undergrowth in the forest in the North York Moors” Etymology
From under- + growth. Cognate with West Frisian ûndergroei (“undergrowth”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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