terrain
terrain Lexical Profile
terrain Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A stretch of land considered specifically with regard to its physical surface features, relief, and natural configuration.
"The hikers wore sturdy boots to navigate the rocky, uneven terrain of the mountain pass."
An area of activity, knowledge, or intellectual inquiry.
"Negotiating international copyright law was unfamiliar terrain for the newly hired editor."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'terrain' (the physical surface features of land) with the geological spelling 'terrane' (a fault-bounded fragment of Earth's crust with a distinct geological history) or 'terrine' (a dish or vessel for cooked meat or pâté).
• Rhymes for terrain
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 18th century from French 'terrain', from Old French 'terrein', ultimately from Vulgar Latin '*terranum', derived from Latin 'terra' meaning 'earth' or 'land'.