area
14 synonyms for area, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The size of a surface, measured in square units.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
expanse
surface area
How to use area
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
surface area
local area
area of expertise
Etymology
A learned borrowing directly from Latin area, meaning "open space" or "level ground."
Full origin of area →Frequently asked questions
What does “area” mean?
The word “area” means the size of a surface, measured in square units. In plain terms, how big a flat surface is, or a general region or subject.
How do you pronounce “area”?
“Area” is pronounced EH-uh-ree-uh (/ˈɛəɹi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “area” in a sentence?
Here is “area” used in a sentence: “The area of the room is twelve square metres.”
What part of speech is “area”?
“Area” is a noun.
Where does the word “area” come from?
The word “area” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing directly from Latin area, meaning "open space" or "level ground.".
Is “area” a common word?
“Area” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “area” have?
“Area” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the size of a surface, measured in square units.
What is the difference between area and perimeter?
Area measures the space inside a flat shape and is given in square units, such as square metres. Perimeter measures the distance all the way around the outside edge and is given in ordinary length units. Think of area as the carpet needed to cover a room and perimeter as the skirting board around it.
What is the difference between area and volume?
Area describes a flat, two-dimensional surface and is measured in square units. Volume describes the three-dimensional space inside a solid object and is measured in cubic units. A tabletop has an area; the box sitting on it has a volume. Adding depth to an area is what turns it into a volume.
How is area measured?
Area is measured in square units — square centimetres, square metres, square miles, and so on. For a rectangle you multiply length by width; other shapes have their own formulas. The 'square' in the unit reflects that area covers two dimensions at once, unlike a simple length, which has only one.
