area
EH-uh-ree-uh
Area (noun) means the size of a surface, measured in square units. Example: “The area of the room is twelve square metres.”
noun
1
The size of a surface, measured in square units.
"The area of the room is twelve square metres."
"Multiply the length by the width to find the area of the rectangle."
"We need to know the floor area before ordering the new carpet."
2
A particular region, part of a place, or scope of activity.
"They toured several areas of the city on foot."
"Marketing isn't really my area of expertise."
"There are no good cafes in this area of town."
How to use area
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow big a flat surface is, or a general region or subject.
Common pairings
surface area
local area
area of expertise
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Word forms
- Plural
- areas, areæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the room is twelve square metres.
Etymology
A learned borrowing directly from Latin area, meaning "open space" or "level ground."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for area
See all rhymes for 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.
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