surroundings
/səˈɹaʊndɪŋz/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The area surrounding someone or something, together with the objects and circumstances in the vicinity; the environment or ambiance.
Noun
Examples
His tall, gaunt, stringy figure is insensible to fatigue, and his dry, half-sarcastic, and often wholly unsympathetic manner is uninfluenced by any change in his surroundings.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
All parts of the universe that are not within the thermodynamic system of interest.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “surroundings” mean?
The area surrounding someone or something, together with the objects and circumstances in the vicinity; the environment or ambiance.
Is “surroundings” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.