Nature Vocabulary in English: 110+ Words for the Great Outdoors

A very high area of land that rises above the land around it.

Example: Snow covered the top of the mountain even in summer.

A small, raised area of land; softer and lower than a mountain.

Example: They rode their bikes quickly down the hill.

Low land between hills or mountains.

Example: A small town lay quietly in the valley.

A deep, narrow valley with very steep sides.

Example: The river carved a huge canyon through the rock.

A narrow passage with high, rocky sides.

Example: A wooden bridge crossed the gorge.

High, flat land that feels wide and open.

Example: From the plateau we could see for kilometers.

A wide, flat area of land.

Example: Horses ran freely across the plain.

Large, open grassland with few trees.

Example: Wildflowers dotted the prairie in bright colors.

A field of grass, often with wildflowers.

Example: We spread a blanket in the meadow for a picnic.

A deep, narrow cut in the ground, smaller than a canyon.

Example: Rainwater rushed down the ravine after the storm.

A low area where water collects.

Example: The lake sits in a broad mountain basin.

A long, narrow line of high ground.

Example: They followed the ridge to reach the viewpoint.

The pointed top of a mountain.

Example: Clouds hid the highest peak all day.

The very top point of a mountain.

Example: Reaching the summit took them all morning.

Ground that is not flat, but goes up or down.

Example: Children skied down the snowy slope.

A very dry area with little rain and few plants.

Example: The desert air dried our lips quickly.

A hill of sand shaped by the wind.

Example: Their footprints disappeared from the dune in minutes.

A place in a desert where water and plants are found.

Example: Palm trees grew around the small oasis.

A huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land.

Example: The glacier cracked with a deep, echoing sound.

A large piece of ice floating in the sea.

Example: Most of the iceberg stayed hidden under the water.

A mountain that can erupt with lava and ash.

Example: The volcano looked quiet, but scientists still watched it.

A round, bowl-shaped hole in the ground, often from a volcano.

Example: A small lake filled the old crater.

A high, steep rock face.

Example: Waves crashed against the base of the cliff.

A large, natural hole in a hill or cliff.

Example: The cave stayed cool even on a hot day.

Land formed where a river meets the sea and splits into smaller parts.

Example: Birds hunted for fish in the river delta.

Land almost surrounded by water, but still joined to the mainland.

Example: We camped at the end of a narrow peninsula.

Land completely surrounded by water.

Example: They spent a quiet week on a small island.

A group or chain of islands.

Example: The archipelago looked like scattered dots on the map.

A narrow strip of land joining two larger areas of land.

Example: A busy road runs across the isthmus.

A long, narrow sea inlet with steep sides, often in cold countries.

Example: The boat moved slowly through the calm fjord.

A wide curve in the coastline where the sea cuts into the land.

Example: Fishing boats rested quietly in the bay.

A small, sheltered bay.

Example: We found a quiet cove to swim in.

Shallow water separated from the sea by sand or a reef.

Example: The lagoon water was warm and calm.

A line of rock or coral just below the surface of the sea.

Example: Colorful fish hid among the reef.

A ring-shaped coral island that surrounds a lagoon.

Example: From the plane, the atoll looked like a necklace on the ocean.

The line where land meets a lake, sea, or ocean.

Example: Driftwood lay all along the shoreline.

Land next to the sea.

Example: They followed the coast on their road trip.

Sandy or pebbly ground beside the sea or a lake.

Example: Children built a sandcastle on the beach.

A long, narrow ridge of sand in shallow water.

Example: At low tide a sandbar appeared across the bay.

A small pool of seawater left behind when the tide goes out.

Example: Crabs and tiny fish lived in the tidepools.

A large, natural flow of water that moves across the land.

Example: The river winds past the town.

A small, narrow flow of water.

Example: We cooled our feet in the stream.

A small stream; a cozy or storybook word for a stream.

Example: A brook ran beside the forest path.

A small stream, especially in North American English.

Example: We jumped over the creek.

Water that falls over a steep drop.

Example: You could hear the waterfall from far away.

Fast, rough parts of a river.

Example: The raft shook as it hit the rapids.

A large area of water surrounded by land.

Example: The moon reflected on the lake.

A small, still body of water.

Example: Frogs were singing near the pond.

Land that stays wet much or all of the time.

Example: Wetlands help protect coasts from storms.

Wetland with grasses and shallow water.

Example: Herons stood quietly in the marsh.

Wetland with trees and muddy ground.

Example: The air in the swamp felt hot and heavy.

Wet, spongy ground with lots of moss.

Example: Our boots sank softly into the bog.

The place where a river meets the sea and fresh water mixes with salt water.

Example: Many birds feed in the estuary.

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one.

Example: A tributary joined the main river near the bridge.

A place where water naturally comes out of the ground.

Example: We filled our bottles at a cold spring.

The movement of water in a river or ocean.

Example: The current carried the leaves downstream.

The regular rise and fall of the sea level.

Example: The rocks are only visible when the tide is low.

A moving ridge of water on the surface.

Example: A big wave splashed over our shoes.

A light, gentle wind.

Example: A cool breeze came through the window.

A sudden, strong burst of wind.

Example: A gust almost blew my hat away.

A mass of tiny water drops floating in the sky.

Example: One dark cloud moved across the sun.

Thick, low cloud close to the ground that makes it hard to see.

Example: The road was hard to see in the fog.

Very light fog or tiny water drops in the air.

Example: Mist floated above the lake.

Light mist or smoke that makes things look blurry.

Example: The mountains looked blue in the haze.

A curved band of colors in the sky, usually after rain.

Example: A rainbow appeared over the city.

Very light rain with small drops.

Example: It was only a drizzle, so we walked without umbrellas.

Very heavy rain that falls fast.

Example: A sudden downpour soaked everyone.

Small balls of ice that fall from the sky.

Example: Hailstones hit the roof loudly.

The loud sound that follows lightning.

Example: Thunder rolled across the sky.

A sudden, bright flash of electricity during a storm.

Example: Lightning lit up the clouds for a moment.

A single piece of falling snow with a special pattern.

Example: A snowflake melted on my glove.

A thin layer of ice on surfaces when it is very cold.

Example: Frost covered the grass in the morning.

Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night.

Example: Dew sparkled on the leaves.

The amount of water in the air.

Example: The high humidity made the day feel warmer.

A long time with little or no rain.

Example: The drought dried out the fields.

A season of very heavy rains in some parts of the world.

Example: During the monsoon, it rains almost every afternoon.

Bad weather with strong wind, rain, snow, or thunder.

Example: The storm knocked branches onto the road.

A large area of land covered with many trees.

Example: The forest grew quiet after the rain.

An area with trees, usually smaller or lighter than a forest.

Example: Deer moved silently through the woodland.

A very thick, tropical forest with many plants.

Example: The jungle felt hot, wet, and noisy.

A dense forest in a hot area with heavy, frequent rain.

Example: The rainforest is home to many different animals.

The small part of a plant that can grow into a new plant.

Example: We planted a seed in each pot.

A very young plant just starting to grow.

Example: Tiny green sprouts appeared after a few days.

A young tree.

Example: The sapling bent in the wind but did not break.

The thick main stem of a tree.

Example: The tree trunk was too wide to hug.

The outer covering of a tree trunk and branches.

Example: The bark felt rough under my fingers.

A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk.

Example: A bird sat on the highest branch.

The flat, usually green part of a plant that grows from a stem or branch.

Example: A yellow leaf fell onto the path.

A long, thin leaf on pine and similar trees.

Example: Pine needles covered the forest floor.

A small lump on a plant that will open into a leaf or flower.

Example: Each bud on the tree promised new flowers.

A flower on a tree, or the time when trees produce flowers.

Example: Cherry trees blossom every spring.

A flower, or the process of producing flowers.

Example: These plants bloom after the first big rain.

One of the colored parts of a flower.

Example: A bright petal stuck to my shoe.

The main thin part of a plant that supports leaves or flowers.

Example: The flower’s stem was long and straight.

The part of a plant that grows underground and takes in water.

Example: The tree’s roots kept the soil from washing away.

A plant with a long stem that climbs or spreads along the ground.

Example: A vine curled around the fence.

A small, soft green plant that grows in damp, shady places.

Example: Thick moss covered the stones.

A leafy green plant that often grows in forests and shady areas.

Example: Ferns lined the side of the trail.

A type of living thing (not a plant or animal) such as mushrooms and molds.

Example: A bright orange fungus grew on the old log.

A fungus with a short stem and a cap on top.

Example: After the rain, mushrooms popped up everywhere.

Simple plant-like organisms that grow in or near water.

Example: Green algae floated near the shore.

A crusty or leafy growth that lives on rocks or trees.

Example: Pale lichen covered the side of the boulder.

Fine powder made by flowers that helps form seeds.

Example: Pollen made the air smell sweet.

Sweet liquid in flowers that insects and birds drink.

Example: Bees collect nectar to make honey.

A round fruit, usually red, green, or yellow, with crisp flesh.

Example: I eat an apple as a snack most afternoons.

A long, curved yellow fruit with soft, sweet flesh.

Example: She sliced a banana onto her cereal.

A round citrus fruit with a thick orange peel.

Example: Fresh orange juice is my favourite breakfast drink.

A yellow citrus fruit with sour juice.

Example: Add a slice of lemon to the tea.

A small red fruit with seeds on the outside.

Example: We picked fresh strawberries on the farm.

A small round fruit that grows in clusters on a vine.

Example: The grapes tasted very sweet.

A large green fruit with red, juicy flesh.

Example: We shared a cold watermelon at the picnic.

A tropical fruit with rough skin and sweet yellow inside.

Example: Pineapple chunks are great in a fruit salad.

A sweet tropical fruit with yellow or orange flesh.

Example: This mango is perfectly ripe.

A round, soft fruit with fuzzy skin and sweet juice.

Example: She bit into a peach and juice ran down her hand.

A soft fruit with a rounded bottom and a narrower top.

Example: The pear was soft and very sweet.

A small, round, usually red fruit with a stone inside.

Example: They decorated the cake with cherries.

A common way to talk about one serving of fruit.

Example: I try to eat at least one piece of fruit every day.

Ready to eat, soft enough and full of flavour.

Example: These peaches are finally ripe.

Not ready to eat yet; usually hard or not sweet.

Example: The bananas are still unripe, maybe in two days.

Available at the natural time of year, often cheaper and tastier.

Example: Strawberries are in season, so they’re much cheaper now.