greenery
/ˈɡriːn.ər.i/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Plants, leaves, and other green growth, especially when you see them together in a place. It often describes trees, bushes, and grass that make an area look fresh and natural.
- The hotel had lovely greenery around it.
- We missed the greenery after leaving the village.
- Greenery made the street look cooler.
Adinary Nuance
Use greenery for the visible plant life that makes a place look green and pleasant. It is more about the scene than one plant, so it is different from vegetation, which is broader and more technical. It is also softer and more descriptive than foliage, which often points to leaves only.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cây cối xanh
- Spanish
- vegetación
- Chinese
- 绿色植被
- Japanese
- 緑
- Korean
- 푸른 초목
Etymology
Greenery appeared in English in the 1500s, from green plus the suffix -ery. It formed a noun meaning green plants or green growth.
Common phrases
lush greenerysurrounded by greenerygreenery around
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is greenery countable or uncountable?
- It is usually uncountable. We often say "some greenery" or "a lot of greenery".
- What is the difference between greenery and vegetation?
- Greenery sounds more natural and pleasant. Vegetation is broader and more scientific.
- Can I use greenery in formal writing?
- Yes. It is suitable for essays, travel writing, and descriptions of places.