environs

American  

[en-vahy-ruhnz, -vahy-ernz, en-ver-uhnz, -vahy-ernz] / ɛnˈvaɪ rənz, -ˈvaɪ ərnz, ˈɛn vər ənz, -vaɪ ərnz /

plural noun

1. the surrounding parts or districts, as of a city; outskirts; suburbs.

2. surrounding objects; surroundings; environment.

3. an area or space close by; vicinity.

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environs British  

/ ɪnˈvaɪrənz /

plural noun

1. a surrounding area or region, esp the suburbs or outskirts of a town or city; vicinity

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Etymology

Origin of environs

1655–65; < French (plural); replacing Middle English environ < Old French, noun use of environ around; environ

Example Sentences

Today, the Sudanese transport company Tarco operates daily crossings, carrying around 200 passengers per trip from the modern port of Suakin, within sight of the ancient city and its impoverished environs.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The union said the media workers were detained by Venezuelan security forces at the National Assembly and its environs, and in the neighbourhood of Altamira - all in the capital, Caracas.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Thirty years earlier, scientific assessments had estimated that Prague and its environs had two German-speakers for every Czech-speaker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

As we wound our way around the 2.4 mile loop, I shared some tidbits I’d recently learned about our environs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

“Ask him to give the cops the plate number and tell them that the driver of this vehicle, a black Civic, was acting suspi-ciously in the environs of Valedale Boulevard.”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Related Words

• suburb
• surroundings
• vicinity