Is old-growth forest the same as an old forest?

Not exactly. It means a forest that has stayed natural for a very long time, with little human change.

Is old-growth forest formal or academic?

It is common in academic, environmental, and news writing. You may also hear it in conservation discussions.

Can I say old-growth woods instead?

Sometimes, but forest is more common and more natural in this phrase.

← Dictionary

old-growth-forest

/ˌəʊld ɡrəʊθ ˈfɒrɪst/

IELTSAcademic

noun

a forest that has been growing for a very long time, with many old trees and little human disturbance. It often has rich wildlife and a complex natural structure.

This old-growth forest is home to rare birds.
They walked through an old-growth forest.
Old-growth forests store a lot of carbon.

Adinary Nuance

An old-growth forest is not just any old forest. It usually means a forest that has been left mostly untouched for a very long time. It is different from a secondary forest, which has grown back after cutting or fire. It is also more specific than woodland, which can mean any area with trees.

In other languages

Vietnamese: rừng nguyên sinh
Spanish: bosque primario
Chinese: 原始森林
Japanese: 原生林
Korean: 원시림

Etymology

Old-growth forest is a modern descriptive term in English. It combines old-growth, meaning long-established natural growth, with forest, from Old French and Latin roots.

Common phrases

old-growth forestold-growth forestsprotect old-growth forests

Synonyms

primary forest virgin forest ancient woodland

Frequently asked questions

Is old-growth forest the same as an old forest?: Not exactly. It means a forest that has stayed natural for a very long time, with little human change.
Is old-growth forest formal or academic?: It is common in academic, environmental, and news writing. You may also hear it in conservation discussions.
Can I say old-growth woods instead?: Sometimes, but forest is more common and more natural in this phrase.