environment
ihn-VEYE-ruh-muhnt
Environment (noun) means the natural world, including land, water, air, and living things. Example: “Planting more trees is one simple way to protect the environment.”
noun
1
The natural world, including land, water, air, and living things.
"Planting more trees is one simple way to protect the environment."
"Children learn about the environment by studying rivers, forests and wildlife."
"The factory was fined for damaging the local environment."
2
The surrounding conditions or setting in which someone lives, works, or something exists.
"A quiet environment makes it much easier for me to study."
"She grew up in a loving and supportive environment."
"The startup thrives in a fast-paced, competitive environment."
How to use environment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the natural world around us, or the general setting/conditions someone is in.
Common pairings
protect the environment
work environment
natural environment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like environment.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- environments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Planting more trees is one simple way to protect the _____.
Etymology
From Middle French environnement, related to environ, "around, about."
Synonyms
View more →
nature
natural world
surroundings
habitat
biosphere
ecology
environs
surround
domain
ecosystem
surrounding
umbworld
Related words
Rhymes for environment
See all rhymes for environment →Frequently asked questions
What does “environment” mean?
The word “environment” means the natural world, including land, water, air, and living things. In plain terms, either the natural world around us, or the general setting/conditions someone is in.
How do you pronounce “environment”?
“Environment” is pronounced ihn-VEYE-ruh-muhnt (/ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “environment” in a sentence?
Here is “environment” used in a sentence: “The factory was fined for damaging the local environment.”
What is another word for “environment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “environment” include domain, ecosystem, surrounding and umbworld.
What part of speech is “environment”?
“Environment” is a noun.
Where does the word “environment” come from?
The word “environment” comes from Middle French. From Middle French environnement, related to environ, "around, about.".
Is “environment” a common word?
“Environment” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “environment” have?
“Environment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the natural world, including land, water, air, and living things.
What is the difference between the environment and an ecosystem?
The environment is everything surrounding living things — the land, water, air, and climate as a whole. An ecosystem is more specific: a community of organisms interacting with each other and their surroundings in a defined place, like a pond or forest. An ecosystem exists within the wider environment.
What is the difference between the environment and nature?
The two overlap and are often used interchangeably. 'Nature' refers to the physical world and its living things as a whole, especially untouched by humans. 'Environment' emphasizes the surroundings that affect and sustain life. You protect nature by caring for the environment that all living things depend on.
Why is the environment important?
The environment provides the essentials that all life depends on — clean air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and a stable climate. Healthy natural surroundings support human health, agriculture, and wildlife alike. Damage to the environment threatens those resources, which is why protecting it matters so much.
What are the different types of environments?
Environments are often split into natural and built (human-made) types. Natural environments are further grouped by their conditions — terrestrial ones such as forests, deserts, and grasslands, and aquatic ones such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Each supports living things suited to its particular climate and setting.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include environment:
