countryside
noun /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
/ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
[uncountable]- land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, etc.
enlarge image- The surrounding countryside is windswept and rocky.
- magnificent views over open countryside
- the beautiful countryside of Wales
- Everyone should enjoy the right of access to the countryside.
- in the countryside the quieter pace of life in the countryside
Synonyms countrycountry- landscape
- countryside
- terrain
- land
- scenery
- country (often the country) an area that is away from towns and cities, especially one with particular natural features:
- She lives in the country.
- an area of wooded country
- landscape everything that you can see when you look across a large area of land, especially in the country:
- This pattern of woods and fields is typical of the English landscape.
- countryside land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods and farms. Countryside is usually used when you are talking about the beauty or peacefulness of a country area: a little village in the French countryside.
- terrain (formal) land. Terrain is used when you are describing the natural features of an area, for example if it is rough, flat, etc: The truck bumped its way over the rough terrain.
- land (usually the land) the countryside; the way people live in the country as opposed to in towns and cities:
- Many younger people are leaving the land to find work in the cities.
- scenery the natural features of an area, such as mountains, valleys, rivers and forests, especially when these are attractive to look at:
- We stopped on the mountain pass to admire the scenery.
- mountainous/mountain/wild/rugged country/landscape/countryside/terrain/scenery
- beautiful/glorious/dramatic country/landscape/countryside/scenery
- open country/landscape/countryside/terrain/land
- rolling country/landscape/countryside
- to protect the landscape/countryside/land
Collocations Town and countryTown and countryTown- live in a city/a town/an urban environment/(informal) a concrete jungle/the suburbs/shanty towns/slums
- live (especially North American English) downtown/in the downtown area/(British English) in the city centre
- enjoy/like the hectic pace of life/the hustle and bustle of city life
- cope with the stress/pressure of urban life
- get caught up in the rat race
- prefer/seek the anonymity of life in a big city
- be drawn by/resist the lure of the big city
- head for the bright lights (of the big city/New York)
- enjoy/love the vibrant/lively nightlife
- have/be close to all the amenities
- be surrounded by towering skyscrapers/a soulless urban sprawl
- use/travel by/rely on (British English) public transport/(North American English) public transportation
- put up with/get stuck in/sit in massive/huge/heavy/endless/constant traffic jams
- tackle/ease/reduce/relieve/alleviate the heavy/severe traffic congestion
- be affected/choked/damaged by pollution
- live in a village/the countryside/an isolated area/a rural backwater/(informal) the sticks
- enjoy/like the relaxed/slower pace of life
- enjoy/love/explore the great outdoors
- look for/find/get/enjoy a little peace and quiet
- need/want to get back/closer to nature
- be surrounded by open/unspoilt/picturesque countryside
- escape/quit/get out of/leave the rat race
- seek/achieve a better/healthy work-life balance
- downshift to a less stressful life
- seek/start a new life in the country
- (British English, informal) up sticks/ (North American English, informal ) pull up stakes and move to/head for…
- create/build/foster a strong sense of community
- depend on/be employed in/work in agriculture
- live off/farm/work the land
- tackle/address the problem of rural unemployment
Culture the countrysidethe countrysideThe countryside of Britain is well known for its beauty and many contrasts: its mountains and moorland, its lakes, rivers and woods, and its long, often wild coastline. Many of the most beautiful areas are national parks and are protected from development. When British people think of the countryside they think of farmland, as well as open spaces. They imagine cows or sheep in green fields surrounded by hedges or stone walls, and fields of wheat and barley (= types of grain crops). Most farmland is private but is crossed by a network of public footpaths.Many people associate the countryside with peace and time to relax. They spend their free time walking or cycling there, or go to the country for a picnic or a pub lunch. In summer people go to fruit farms and pick strawberries and other fruit. Some people who live in the country work on farms. Many more commute to work in towns. Many others dream of living in the country, where they believe they would have a better and healthier lifestyle.The countryside faces many threats. Some are associated with modern farming practices, and the use of chemicals harmful to plants and wildlife. Land is also needed for new houses. The green belt, an area of land around many cities, is under increasing pressure. Plans to build new roads are often strongly opposed by organizations trying to protect the countryside. Protesters may set up camps to prevent, or at least delay, the building work.America has many areas of wild and beautiful countryside, and there are many areas, especially in the West in states like Montana and Wyoming, where few people live. In the New England states, such as Vermont and New Hampshire, it is common to see small farms surrounded by hills and green areas. In Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other Midwestern states, there are huge fields of corn and wheat and there are many miles between towns.Only about 20% of Americans live outside cities and towns. Life may be difficult for people who live in the country. Services like hospitals and schools may be further away and going shopping can mean driving long distances. Some people even have to drive from their homes to the main road where their mail is left in a box. Despite the disadvantages, many people who live in the country say that they like the safe, clean, attractive environment. But their children often move to a town or city as soon as they can.As in Britain, Americans like to go out to the country at weekends. Some people go on camping or fishing trips; others go walking in national parks.Extra ExamplesTopics Geographyb1- Castles and churches dot the countryside.
- I dream of living in the countryside.
- In the afternoons they roamed the countryside around the house.
- Police scoured the countryside in search of the missing man.
- Soon we were driving through pleasant open countryside.
- The countryside has been ravaged by pollution.
- The feel for his native countryside comes through strongly in his photographs.
- a delightful stretch of countryside
- a small town surrounded by picturesque countryside
- a walk through the lush green countryside
- miles of beautiful countryside
- the countryside around Oxford
- travelling through pleasant open countryside
- vast tracts of countryside
- During the school vacation we would roam the countryside.
- He knew the local countryside well.
- The surrounding countryside is magnificent.
- a little village in the French countryside
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- attractive
- beautiful
- glorious
- …
- area
- acres
- miles
- …
- conserve
- preserve
- protect
- …
- in the countryside
- surrounded by countryside
- through (the) countryside
- …
