forest

for-est · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.

  2. 2.

    The trees growing in a forest.

  3. 3.

    A large number of things resembling a forest.

Forms

plural: forests

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    rain forest — A tropical forest with heavy rainfall.
  • •
    not see the forest for the trees — To miss the main point by focusing on details.
  • •
    forest fire — A fire spreading through woodland.
  • •
    national forest — Government-protected forest land.
  • •
    concrete jungle — A city with many tall buildings (opposite metaphor).

Related words

Antonyms: clearing, desert
See also: jungle, nature, tree, wood
Synonyms: jungle, wood, woodland, woods

Etymology

From Old French forest ("forest, vast expanse covered by trees"), possibly from Medieval Latin forestis (silva) ("the outside woods"), from Latin foris ("outside").