A1noun1K

Country

UK /["/ˈkʌntri/"]/US /["/ˈkʌntri/"]/

Definition

an area of land that has or used to have its own government and laws

In simple words: A land that has its own government and borders.

Examples

  • Canada is a beautiful country known for its natural landscapes.
  • Many people dream of traveling to a different country every year.
  • The country held a festival to celebrate its cultural diversity.
  • He is proud of his country and its achievements.
  • Every country has its own traditions and customs.
  • The country has various climates ranging from tropical to arctic.
  • In the country, you can find many different types of wildlife.

Usage notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid when discussing specific regions (use 'region' instead) or specific areas within a country (use 'city' or 'state').

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'count' and 'try' to remember there's a whole place to explore.

Collocations

  • beautiful
  • fascinating
  • great
  • govern
  • rule
  • run
  • border something
  • produce something
  • export something
  • across a/​the country
  • all over a/​the country
  • around a/​the country
  • countries around the globe
  • countries around the world
  • country of (somebody’s) birth
  • life
  • air
  • lane
  • across country
  • in the country
  • desert
  • hill
  • hilly
  • stretch
  • tract

Synonyms

  • nation
  • state
  • land
  • territory
  • realm

Antonyms

  • county
  • city
  • town

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'county' which refers to a smaller area within a country.
  • Incorrectly using 'country' as a verb.
  • Using 'countries' without proper context when discussing multiple nations.