land
A1Neutral, used across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
The solid surface of the earth that is not permanently covered by water; ground, earth, or soil.
A specific area or territory owned by someone or used for a particular purpose; also refers to the act of arriving or setting down onto a surface (from air or water).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it contrasts with 'sea' or 'air'. As a verb, it involves a transition from one medium (air/water) to the ground.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derivatives (e.g., 'landed'/'landing' are standard). The noun 'land' is used identically. In US English, 'land' is often used in compound terms for political/administrative units (e.g., 'parkland', 'trust land').
Connotations
In UK English, 'land' can carry stronger historical connotations of inherited property and social class (e.g., 'landed gentry'). In US English, it often relates to property rights, development, and frontier history.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both dialects with no significant divergence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] land[V] land (something)[V] land on/in something[V] land somebody somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to see how the land lies”
- “the lie of the land”
- “in the land of the living”
- “land on your feet”
- “promised land”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to property assets, investment, or successfully obtaining a contract ('land the deal').
Academic
Used in geography, economics (land as a factor of production), and law (land rights).
Everyday
Commonly used for talking about property, countryside, or arriving ('When does your flight land?').
Technical
In aviation for touchdown; in computing for a successful installation or outcome ('the update landed smoothly').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The plane will land at Heathrow shortly.
- He landed a brilliant role in the West End.
- The punch landed squarely on his jaw.
American English
- The spacecraft is scheduled to land in the desert.
- She just landed a major account for the firm.
- You'll land in trouble if you're not careful.
adjective
British English
- The land registry confirms the ownership.
- We faced land-based opposition to the new road.
American English
- Land development is a key issue in the county.
- The land survey showed the exact boundaries.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We bought some land to build a house.
- The bird will land on that branch.
- Farmers work on the land.
- The government plans to protect the forest land.
- After a long search, she finally landed a good job.
- The helicopter managed to land safely on the roof.
- The treaty ceded vast tracts of land to the neighbouring country.
- His controversial comments landed him in hot water with the media.
- Investors are looking at undeveloped land for future projects.
- The policy shift was an attempt to gauge how the land lay with the electorate.
- Her innovative proposal landed her a prestigious research grant.
- The debate revolves around the ethical implications of land appropriation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LANDing plane touching the solid ground of the earth's LAND.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS LANDING (e.g., 'land a job'); UNDERSTANDING IS SURVEYING LAND (e.g., 'get the lay of the land').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'land' for a specific country (use 'country' or 'state'). 'Earth' as soil is 'земля', but 'land' is often 'суша' (dry land) or 'участок' (plot). The verb 'to land' is not 'приземлять' only for aircraft; it can be used for ideas or blame ('It landed on my desk').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'land' as a countable noun for a nation (incorrect: 'He visited many lands'; better: 'many countries'). Confusing 'land' with 'ground' in specific contexts (e.g., 'fall to the ground' not 'fall to the land').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'land' used as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it often refers to countryside or undeveloped areas, it can mean any solid ground or property, including within cities (e.g., 'a parcel of land').
'Ground' is the surface you walk on. 'Land' is a broader term for an area of ground, often with defined boundaries or a specific use. You hit the ground, but you own or travel across land.
Yes. You can land a job, a punch, a contract, or in a difficult situation. It means to successfully obtain or find yourself in a particular state.
It figuratively means the current state of affairs or the general situation, which you need to understand before making decisions.