Reading Theme:
Environmental Meaning: Examples and Eco-Friendly Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：relating to nature (environmental)
environmental
/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl/
adj.
Relating to the natural world we live in, like air, water, and land.
relating to nature
➕
/rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tə ˈneɪtʃər/
adj.
Pertaining to the physical world and its natural features, such as air, water, land, and living organisms.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
en- (in) + viron (circle) + -mental (adj. suffix). Literally 'pertaining to surroundings.'
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'en' (in) + 'viron' (circle) — your mental circle of nature.
📖 Example
The new policy focuses on reducing environmental pollution caused by plastic waste.
The new policy focuses on reducing environmental pollution caused by plastic waste.
🔗 Collocations
environmental issue – a problem affecting the natural world
environmental protection – actions to preserve nature
environmental impact – effect on the ecosystem
🔄 Synonyms
ecological (adj.) – relating to the study of ecosystems or to the environment as a whole
green (adj.) – concerned with or supporting environmentalism
natural (adj.) – existing in nature; not made by humans
🚫 Antonyms
unnatural (adj.) – not found in nature; artificial
artificial (adj.) – human-made, not natural
man-made (adj.) – created by humans
🌱 Derivatives
environmentally (adv.) – in a way that relates to the environment
environmentalist (n.) – a person who advocates for environmental protection
environmentalism (n.) – the movement to protect the environment
📖 Cultural Story
Evolved from Old French 'environ' (around) + Latin 'mentum'. Originally used in 1820s to describe natural surroundings, popularized by ecological movements in the 1960s.
Meaning 2：eco-friendly (environmental)
environmental
/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl/
adj.
Aiming to protect nature, or designed to not harm the planet.
eco-friendly
➕
/ˈiːkoʊ ˈfrɛndli/
adj.
Designed or intended to not harm the natural environment; made from sustainable or recycled materials.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She always buys products with environmental packaging, like boxes made from recycled paper.
She always buys products with environmental packaging, like boxes made from recycled paper.
🔗 Collocations
environmental packaging – packaging made from eco-friendly materials
environmental product – a product that causes minimal harm to nature
environmental choice – a decision that benefits the planet
🔄 Synonyms
eco-friendly (adj.) – not harmful to the environment
sustainable (adj.) – capable of being maintained without depleting resources
green (adj.) – environmentally friendly
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
environmentally (adv.) – in a way that is not harmful to the environment
environmentalist (n.) – a person who advocates for environmental protection
environmentalism (n.) – the movement to protect the environment
Wordbook
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