Describing landscapes

On November 16, 2016 By Kate WoodfordIn Conversation, Vocabulary

by Kate Woodford

john finney photography/Moment/Getty

Have you ever wanted to describe an area of the countryside but found you
didnt have the right words? If so, well fix that this week with a look at words
and phrases that we use to describe different landscapes.

To start with the most basic description, an area of land that is mainly covered
with grass or trees is often described as green: There are so few green spaces
in the city. An area that is especially green, in a way that is attractive, may also
be described as lush: lush green valleys. A more literary word for this
is verdant: All around her were verdant meadows.

Meanwhile, a landscape that has few or no plants because there is so little rain
may be described as arid: Few animals can survive in this arid desert
landscape. (A technical description for an area that has little rain but is not
completely dry is semi-arid: a semi-arid zone.)

Land that is extremely dry because rain has not fallen for a long time is often
said to be parched: parched earth/fields. Sun-baked, meanwhile, describes
land that is hard and dry because it has received so little rain for so long: The
sun-baked earth was full of cracks.

Other words describe the shape of the land. A hilly area has lots of hills: The
countryside round here is very hilly. The phrase rolling hills is often used in
descriptions of attractive landscapes with many gentle hills: Everywhere you
look, there are rolling hills. The rather literary word undulating is also used to
describe this type of landscape: This picturesque village is surrounded by
undulating hills.

Meanwhile, a landscape with bigger hills mountains is mountainous: a

mountainous region. If those mountains have snow on the top, they are often
referred to as snow-capped: a snow-capped mountain range.

Still with the shape of the land, craggy describes an area with lots of rocks
sticking out: a craggy coastline. Rugged is very similar, describing an area of
land that is wild and not flat: These photographs really capture the rugged
landscape of the region.

Of course, not all landscapes are green and hilly. An area may be flat. If there
are no trees, hills or other interesting features, it may appear
rather featureless: It was a grey, featureless landscape.

Two negative adjectives that are sometimes used to describe featureless

landscapes are bleak and desolate. Both are used for areas of the countryside
that seem empty and cold, with nothing pleasant to look at: The house stands
on a bleak hilltop.

Another adjective sometimes used in this context is windswept. A windswept

area of land has no trees or other high structures to protect it from the
wind: The picture shows a desolate, windswept landscape.

When were you last out in the countryside? How would you describe the
landscape?