surroundings
gb/sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/ us/sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
B1
English
környezet, környék
NOUN
B1
1
környezet
A2
Usage pattern:
in [adjective] surroundings; [someone] notices/takes in [their] surroundings
She paused to look at her surroundings before crossing the busy street.
Mielőtt átkelt volna a forgalmas utcán, megállt egy pillanatra, hogy felmérje a környezetét.
The cabin’s quiet surroundings made it easy to relax.
A faház csendes környezete megkönnyítette a pihenést.
In the dark, the forest surroundings felt unfamiliar and a little scary.
Learner examples
I like my new surroundings.
Tetszik az új környezetem.
He looked around at his surroundings.
Körülnézve szemügyre vette a környezetét.
Common mistake:
It is usually plural: say “the surroundings,” not “a surrounding.” For one nearby thing, use “a surrounding wall/building,” or “the surrounding area.”
Meaning
things and place around you
Collocations
beautiful surroundings
|pleasant surroundings
|peaceful surroundings
|natural surroundings
|urban surroundings
|familiar surroundings
|unfamiliar surroundings
|immediate surroundings
|noisy surroundings
|safe surroundings
Synonyms
environment (Often broader and can include social conditions as well as physical setting.)
|
setting (Common for the place where something happens, especially in stories or events.)
Themes
daily_life
|places
|travel
|nature
Definition
the things and places around you
The area, objects, and general physical setting that are around someone or something at a particular time.
NOUN
B1
2
környék
A2
Usage pattern:
[a place] and its surroundings
The brochure highlights the museum and its surroundings.
A prospektus a múzeumot és a környékét mutatja be.
We rented bikes to explore the town’s surroundings.
Biciklit béreltünk, hogy felfedezzük a város környékét.
There aren’t many restaurants in the immediate surroundings of the station.
Learner examples
We walked around the surroundings of the hotel.
Sétáltunk a szálloda környékén.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse “surroundings” (nearby area) with “surrounding” as an adjective (e.g., “the surrounding streets”).
Meaning
area around a place
Collocations
the hotel and its surroundings
|the city and its surroundings
|explore the surroundings
|local surroundings
|the immediate surroundings
|the village and its surroundings
|the park and its surroundings
|the neighborhood surroundings
|survey the surroundings
|a map of the surroundings
Synonyms
vicinity (More formal; emphasizes ‘nearby’ rather than the look or feel of the place.)
|
area (More general; doesn’t necessarily mean ‘around’ a specific point.)
Themes
places
|travel
|real_estate
Definition
the area near a place
The nearby area around a particular place, such as a building, town, or landmark.
NOUN
B2
3
környezet
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s social/home/work surroundings
Children often learn quickly when they’re in supportive surroundings.
A gyerekek gyakran gyorsan tanulnak, ha támogató környezetben vannak.
He struggled at first because the new school surroundings were so different.
Eleinte nehezen boldogult, mert az új iskolai környezet nagyon más volt.
She credits her success to the stable surroundings she grew up in.
Learner examples
Good surroundings can help you study.
A jó környezet segíthet a tanulásban.
Common mistake:
This meaning is more about context (home/social/work) than physical scenery; “surroundings” here can overlap with “environment.”
Meaning
conditions affecting someone’s life
Collocations
family surroundings
|home surroundings
|social surroundings
|work surroundings
|stable surroundings
|supportive surroundings
|difficult surroundings
|grow up in (certain) surroundings
|change of surroundings
|influence of surroundings
Synonyms
environment (Very common and often used in the same way, especially for childhood or work conditions.)
|
circumstances (Focuses more on conditions and situation than on the people/setting around someone.)
Themes
society
|education
|work
|psychology
Definition
the conditions and people around someone that influence them
The conditions, influences, or context in which someone lives or develops, especially those that affect their behavior or opportunities.
Grammar
Dictionary form
surroundings
IPA
GB/sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
US/sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
Syllables & stress
sur - round - ings (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: surroundings
- Plural: surroundings
Expressions
a change of surroundings
1/ə t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ əv sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
being in a different place
a different place from your usual one
Examples
- After months of working from home, he needed a change of surroundings.
- We went to the coast for a change of surroundings.
- A short walk can be enough for a change of surroundings.
Learner examples
- I want a change of surroundings.
adapt to your surroundings
1/ədˈæpt tə jˈʊɹ sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
adjust to a new environment
change so you can live or work in a new place
Examples
- It took her a few weeks to adapt to her new surroundings.
- Animals adapt to their surroundings over time.
- Try to adapt to the surroundings instead of comparing everything to home.
Learner examples
- I need time to adapt to my surroundings.
be aware of your surroundings
1/bˈi əwˈɛɹ əv jˈʊɹ sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
pay attention to what’s around
pay attention to what is around you
Examples
- When you’re walking at night, be aware of your surroundings.
- He had headphones on and wasn’t aware of his surroundings.
- The guide reminded everyone to be aware of their surroundings on the trail.
Learner examples
- Be aware of your surroundings.
blend into (your/the) surroundings
1/blˈɛnd ˈɪntu jˈɔɚθ sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
not stand out in a place
look like you belong there
Examples
- He wore dark clothes to blend into the surroundings.
- The new building blends into its surroundings surprisingly well.
- Some animals can change color to blend into their surroundings.
Learner examples
- The house blends into its surroundings.
in your immediate surroundings
1/ˈɪn jˈʊɹ ɪmˈidiɪt sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
very close to you
very near you
Examples
- Keep an eye on what’s happening in your immediate surroundings.
- There were no shops in the immediate surroundings of the campsite.
- She looked around her immediate surroundings for her keys.
Learner examples
- There is a café in my immediate surroundings.
take in your surroundings
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪn jˈʊɹ sɚˈaʊndɪŋz/
fixed phrase
look around and notice details
look around and notice what you see
Examples
- She stopped for a moment to take in her surroundings.
- After the long flight, he stepped outside and took in the new surroundings.
- We sat quietly, taking in the lake and its surroundings.
Learner examples
- I took in my surroundings.