hinterlands
/ˈhɪn.tə.lændz/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The inner land area far from a coast, city center, or border. It is usually less developed and less busy than the main area.
- They opened stores in the hinterlands.
- Many villages in the hinterlands lack good roads.
Adinary Nuance
Hinterlands is more specific than area or region. It often suggests a place that is remote, less developed, and away from a main city or coast. Writers choose it when they want to stress distance from the center, not just location. It is stronger and more geographic than countryside.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vùng hẻo lánh
- Spanish
- zonas remotas
- Chinese
- 内陆地区
- Japanese
- 辺境地帯
- Korean
- 변두리 지역
Etymology
From German and Dutch words meaning 'land behind' or 'land in the back'. It entered English in the 19th century, first in geography and colonial writing.
Common phrases
the hinterlandsreach the hinterlandsremote hinterlandsthe urban-rural hinterlands
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is hinterlands singular or plural?
- Hinterlands is usually plural, even when talking about one remote area.
- Is hinterlands formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in geography, news, and writing.
- Can I use hinterlands for a city suburb?
- No. It usually means land far from the main center, not a suburb.