French word

relief

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəljɛf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounterrain

Example

Le relief de cette région est montagneux.

The terrain of this region is mountainous.

Illustration for relief (terrain)

More examples

On voit le relief depuis le sommet.

You can see the terrain from the summit.

Core concept

A landscape shaped into connected rises and hollows, seen as a three-dimensional surface.

Common phrases

  • le relief de la région

    the region's terrain

  • relief montagneux

    mountainous terrain

Similar words

paysage: The visible scenery of nature or towns across an area.
plaine: A broad, mostly flat area of land with little change in elevation.
vallée: A long, narrow lowland between higher areas on both sides.
altitude: The height of a place above sea level.

Definition in French

Terme désignant la configuration en volume du sol d'un lieu, comprenant montagnes, collines et dépressions.

Word origin

French relief developed through Old French from relever, ultimately from Latin relevare, meaning to raise or lift.

Usage tips

  • In geography, relief focuses on a region's elevations and depressions rather than the land in general, so it differs from terrain.

Other meanings

  • reliefnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word