country
gb/kˈʌntɹi/ us/kˈʌntɹi/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
A nation-state
A place with its own government and borders, like France or Japan.
Usage pattern:
[a/an/the] country
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'country' with 'countryside', which refers to rural areas, not a nation.
Synonyms
nation (Often interchangeable, but 'nation' can also stress shared culture or ethnicity.)
|
state (More formal or legal term for a political entity.)
Antonyms
city (A city is a smaller urban area within a country, not a sovereign entity.)
Collocations
developed country
|developing country
|foreign country
|country borders
|country leader
Themes
geography
|politics
|society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area.
- She has traveled to more than ten different countries.
- Every country has its own laws and customs.
- The country elected a new president last year.
Learner examples
- Japan is a country in Asia.
- My friend lives in another country.
- This country has many mountains.
- I want to visit a new country.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Rural land away from cities
Land that is not in a city or town; the countryside.
Usage pattern:
the country
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'a country' instead of 'the country' when talking about rural areas.
Synonyms
countryside (More specific; always refers to rural areas.)
Antonyms
city (An urban area with dense population and buildings.)
Collocations
live in the country
|move to the country
|country road
Themes
geography
|daily life
|nature
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They bought a house in the country to escape the noise of the city.
- I love walking in the country on weekends.
- The country is beautiful in spring.
Learner examples
- My grandparents live in the country.
- We went to the country for a picnic.
- The air is clean in the country.
Grammar
Dictionary form
country
IPA
GB/kˈʌntɹi/
US/kˈʌntɹi/
Syllables & stress
coun - try (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (coun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: country
- Plural: countries, country
Word family
Forms
countries
noun
Core family
countryside
noun A2
Related words
Advanced or less common
countrywide
adjective B2
Expressions
country music
1/kˈʌntɹi mjˈuzɪk/
fixed phrase
A style of American music
A type of popular music from the southern United States, often with guitars and singing about life in rural areas.
Examples
- He listens to country music every morning.
- Country music is very popular in some parts of the US.
head of state or country
1/hˈɛd əv stˈeɪt ˈɔɹ kˈʌntɹi/
fixed phrase
Leader of a nation-state
The top leader of a nation or state, such as a president or king.
Examples
- The head of state visited several countries this year.
- She became the first female head of her country.
in the country
1/ˈɪn ðə kˈʌntɹi/
fixed phrase
In a rural area
In an area outside cities and towns.
Examples
- We spent the summer in the country.
- She enjoys living in the country away from traffic.
the whole country
1/ðə hˈoʊl kˈʌntɹi/
fixed phrase
All of a nation
Every part of a nation or state.
Examples
- The news spread quickly across the whole country.
- The whole country celebrated the team's victory.