country
KUHNT-ree
Country (noun) means a nation with its own government and defined territory. Example: “She has traveled to over twenty countries.”
noun
1
A nation with its own government and defined territory.
"She has traveled to over twenty countries."
"Which country does this chocolate come from?"
"Every country has its own flag and national anthem."
2
Rural land, as opposed to cities and towns.
"They moved out to the country for some peace and quiet."
"I love walking in the country when the fields are green."
"Life in the country is slower than life in the city."
adj
1
Relating to or typical of rural areas, or of country music.
"He grew up on a diet of country music and church hymns."
"She lives in a country cottage with a big garden."
"Dad plays country songs on his guitar every Sunday afternoon."
How to use country
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nation, or more casually, the rural areas outside cities.
Common pairings
out in the country
home country
country music
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Word forms
- Comparative
- countrier, more country
- Superlative
- countriest, most country
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Which _____ does this chocolate come from?
Etymology
From Old French contree, ultimately from Latin contrā ("against, facing") — originally meaning "the land lying opposite" or surrounding a place.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “country” mean?
The word “country” means a nation with its own government and defined territory. In plain terms, a nation, or more casually, the rural areas outside cities.
How do you pronounce “country”?
“Country” is pronounced KUHNT-ree (/ˈkʌntɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “country” in a sentence?
Here is “country” used in a sentence: “They moved out to the country for some peace and quiet.”
What part of speech is “country”?
Depending on how it is used, “country” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “country” come from?
The word “country” comes from Latin. From Old French contree, ultimately from Latin contrā ("against, facing") — originally meaning "the land lying opposite" or surrounding a place.
Is “country” a common word?
“Country” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “country” have?
“Country” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a nation with its own government and defined territory.
What is the difference between a country and a nation?
A country is mainly a geographic and political unit — a defined territory with its own government and borders. A nation refers more to the people: a group sharing culture, language, history, or identity. They often overlap, but a nation can exist without a country of its own.
What is the difference between a country and a state?
A country is a sovereign nation with its own government and territory. 'State' has two senses: it can mean the same as a sovereign country, or a smaller region within one, like a US or Australian state. Context tells you which meaning applies.
How many countries are there in the world?
Most sources count 195 countries: the 193 member states of the United Nations, plus two observer states — the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine. The exact figure can vary depending on which disputed or partially recognized territories you choose to include in the total.
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