area

Meanings

1. A particular part of a place.
2. The size of a surface, measured in square units.
3. A field of study or activity.

Example sentences

• "There are many good restaurants in this area."

  Level A2, Meaning 1

• "The area of the room is twenty square meters."

  Level B1, Meaning 2

• "Her area of interest is marine biology."

  Level B1, Meaning 3

• "The beach area is closed to cars."

  Level A2, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Look-alikes and common mistakes

• region : A region is a large area, often with its own character. Area can be big or small.
• zone : A zone is an area set apart for a special purpose, such as a parking zone.

Word family and forms

Forms: areas

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "area".

• a quiet area
• the area of a circle
• the local area
• a rural area
• in this area
• an area of expertise

Origin

Area was borrowed into English in the 1530s from Latin area, which meant an open space, a piece of level ground or a threshing floor. The Latin word may be related to the verb arere, to be dry, which also gave English the word arid.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

Usage notes

Common in the phrase "in the area".

How to remember it

Area has a long first part, AIR-ee-a. Picture the open air above a large flat piece of land.

Test yourself

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