rainforest
|rain/for/est|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈreɪnˌfɔrɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈreɪnˌfɒrɪst/
dense, wet forest
Etymology
Etymology Information
'rainforest' originates from the combination of 'rain' and 'forest', where 'rain' refers to precipitation and 'forest' refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
Historical Evolution
'rainforest' was coined in the early 20th century to describe forests in tropical regions with high rainfall.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a forest with high rainfall', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a dense forest found in tropical areas with consistently heavy rainfall.
The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35