forest
FO-rihst
Forest (noun) means a large area densely covered with trees. Example: “They hiked for hours through the forest without seeing another soul.”
noun
1
A large area densely covered with trees.
"They hiked for hours through the forest without seeing another soul."
"The Amazon rainforest is home to millions of species."
"Deer often shelter in the forest during the coldest part of winter."
verb
1
To plant trees over an area.
"The county plans to forest the hillside to prevent erosion."
"Volunteers plan to forest the bare slopes with oak and birch saplings."
"The charity hopes to forest a large area of former farmland."
How to use forest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big stretch of land covered mostly in trees, bigger than a wood.
Common pairings
tropical forest
forest fire
deforestation
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Word forms
- Plural
- forests
- Third person singular
- forests
- Past tense
- forested
Fill the gap
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They hiked for hours through the _____ without seeing another soul.
Etymology
From Old French forest, from Medieval Latin forestis, likely linked to Latin foris ("outside") — originally land outside enclosed royal parks.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for forest
See all rhymes for forest →Frequently asked questions
What does “forest” mean?
The word “forest” means a large area densely covered with trees. In plain terms, a big stretch of land covered mostly in trees, bigger than a wood.
How do you pronounce “forest”?
“Forest” is pronounced FO-rihst (/ˈfɔɹəst/ in IPA).
How do you use “forest” in a sentence?
Here is “forest” used in a sentence: “They hiked for hours through the forest without seeing another soul.”
What is another word for “forest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “forest” include woods and woodland.
What part of speech is “forest”?
Depending on how it is used, “forest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “forest” come from?
The word “forest” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French forest, from Medieval Latin forestis, likely linked to Latin foris ("outside") — originally land outside enclosed royal parks.
Is “forest” a common word?
“Forest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “forest” have?
“Forest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large area densely covered with trees.
What is the difference between a forest and woods?
The main difference is size and density. A forest is large and densely covered with trees — big enough to have its own ecosystem and easy to get lost in. Woods, or a wood, are smaller and more open, often close to homes or fields. Forests are simply the bigger of the two.
What is the difference between a forest and a jungle?
A jungle is a type of forest — specifically a hot, humid tropical one tangled with dense undergrowth that is hard to walk through. 'Forest' is the general term and includes cooler kinds, like pine or oak forests. So every jungle is a forest, but not every forest is a jungle.
What are the types of forests?
The main types are tropical rainforests, which are hot and wet; temperate forests, with four seasons; and boreal or taiga forests, which are cold and coniferous. Forests are also described as deciduous, coniferous, or mixed, depending on whether their trees shed leaves or stay green year-round.
Why are forests important?
Forests produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the climate. They provide homes for countless plants and animals, protect soil from erosion, store and clean water, and supply timber, food, and medicines. In short, they are vital to the health of the whole planet and to human life.
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