landscape
B1Neutral (used across formal and informal contexts).
Definition
Meaning
A large area of natural scenery, especially when considered in terms of its aesthetic appearance.
A visual representation of such scenery (e.g., a painting or photograph); a wider view or prospect of a subject or situation; the physical and visible characteristics of an area.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to views of land, but can be metaphorically extended to abstract domains (e.g., political landscape). Often contrasted with 'portrait' orientation for images.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'Landscaping' as a service is slightly more common in US real-estate terminology. The noun usage is identical.
Connotations
Slightly stronger commercial/gardening industry association in US ('landscape architect', 'landscape company').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Noun + of + landscape (a painting of the landscape)Adjective + landscape (rugged landscape)Verb + landscape (to transform the landscape)Landscape + Verb (the landscape changed)Preposition + landscape (in the landscape)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A blot on the landscape”
- “Change the landscape”
- “Dominates the landscape”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the competitive environment or market structure (e.g., 'the digital advertising landscape').
Academic
Used in geography, art history, and environmental studies to describe physical or cultural terrain.
Everyday
Describes the appearance of the outdoors, holiday photos, or garden design.
Technical
In computing, refers to horizontal page orientation; in ecology, denotes a large-scale ecosystem.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council plans to landscape the roundabout with native shrubs.
- We've just had our garden professionally landscaped.
American English
- They're going to landscape the entire backyard with a patio and pond.
- The new park was beautifully landscaped by a famous designer.
adjective
British English
- She prefers to paint in a landscape format.
- The report included several landscape orientation diagrams.
American English
- Make sure you select landscape layout before printing.
- The document is set to landscape mode.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The landscape from the window is very beautiful.
- I like to take photos of the landscape.
- The Scottish landscape is famous for its mountains and lakes.
- She hung a landscape painting on the living room wall.
- The economic landscape has changed dramatically since the pandemic.
- The artist specialised in capturing the stark landscapes of the north.
- The introduction of AI is reshaping the entire technological landscape.
- His novel offers a bleak landscape of post-industrial alienation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LAND + SHAPE: Imagine the shape of the land you see.
Conceptual Metaphor
AREA/SUBJECT IS A LANDSCAPE (e.g., 'the political landscape', 'the musical landscape').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: 'ландшафт' is a direct cognate and correct, but can sound overly technical. Avoid using 'пейзаж' exclusively for natural scenes, as it implies a painted/viewed picture.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'landscape' for seascapes or cityscapes without clarification. Confusing 'landscape' (noun) with 'landscaping' (activity). Incorrect plural: 'landscapes' is correct.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'landscape' in modern usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically (e.g., 'urban landscape', 'political landscape').
'Scenery' emphasizes the visual appearance, while 'landscape' often includes the physical, geographical, and even metaphorical aspects of an area.
No, it is also a verb (to landscape a garden) and an adjective (landscape orientation).
'Portrait' orientation (taller than it is wide).