*Forrest or Forest | How to Spell & Synonyms
Forest (with one “r”) is the correct spelling for the noun meaning “a large area covered in trees and undergrowth.” In this context, forrest is always incorrect.
- Many parts of Canada are covered by forests.
- Many parts of Canada are covered by forrests.
- The Black Forest is in southwest Germany.
- The Black Forrest is in southwest Germany.
However, Forrest is also a name and surname.
How do you spell forest?
Forest is spelled “f-o-r-e-s-t,” with one “r.”
The word comes from the Latin foris, meaning “outside.” It refers to an area of land heavily covered by trees and other plants. This word is spelled as forest in British and American English and all other varieties of the language, though pronunciations may vary. It’s never spelled forrest.
Forest can also be used metaphorically to refer to dense grouping of something (e.g., “a forest of skyscrapers”), and it’s sometimes incorporated into other nouns (e.g., “rainforest” or “deforestation”). It’s always spelled the same, and it’s only capitalized when it refers to a specific forest (e.g., “the Forest of Arden”).
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can make sure you always write forest and never forrest.
- Robin Hood lived in Sherwood Forest.
- Robin Hood lived in Sherwood Forrest.
- The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
- The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforrest in the world.
- In The Hobbit, Bilbo and company must travel through Mirkwood, a dark and foreboding forest.
- In The Hobbit, Bilbo and company must travel through Mirkwood, a dark and foreboding forrest.
That said, Forrest is a name and surname. You can also spell this name Forest, though it is less common.
Their eldest son is called Forrest.
There’s a new film coming out with Forest Whitaker.
Forest synonyms
If you have trouble choosing forrest or forest, consider using a synonym for forest, although most of these synonyms have slightly different connotations than forest.
| Synonym | Nuanced meaning | Forest example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woods | Less dense than a forest | The forest was vast and filled with towering trees. | The woods were vast and filled with towering trees. |
| Woodland | Land covered with trees | The forest was full of oak and ash trees. | The woodland was full of oak and ash trees. |
| Grove | A small group of trees | We rested in the forest of apple trees during our hike. | We rested in the grove of apple trees during our hike. |
| Copse | A small group of trees | The forest of birch trees near the trail was carefully maintained. | The copse of birch trees near the trail was carefully maintained. |
| Timberland | Land covered with trees, especially when used for timber | The forest was marked for logging and sustainable harvesting. | The timberland was marked for logging and sustainable harvesting. |
| Rainforest | Dense and tropical, with high rainfall year-round | We often go birdwatching in the forest. | We often go birdwatching in the rainforest. |
| Jungle | Dense and tropical, with thick vegetation | The dense forest was difficult to navigate. | The dense jungle was difficult to navigate. |
| Bush | Wild, untamed land covered in brushwood, often used in Australia | The forest near the river was teeming with wildlife and hidden paths. | The bush near the river was teeming with wildlife and hidden paths. |
| Thicket | A dense area of shrubs and small trees | We found the kitten in a forest. | We found the kitten in a thicket. |
| Canopy | The dense covering at the top of a forest | The forest blocked out most of the sunlight. | The canopy blocked out most of the sunlight. |
Frequently asked questions about forrest or forest
- What’s the meaning of Forrest?
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“Forrest” is a name and surname in English. It comes from the noun “forest,” meaning “a large area covered in trees and underbrush.”
People sometimes mix up Forrest and forest, but “forest” is always the correct spelling for the noun.
To make sure you spell “forest” correctly, use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
- What’s the difference between woods and forest?
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“Woods” and “forest” are both nouns referring to areas of land covered by trees.
The difference is that a forest is denser, while woods have sparser tree cover. “Forest” carries the connotation of a bigger space with more trees.
Grammatically, “forest” is a singular noun, while “woods” is plural (e.g., “The forest is dark and the woods are deep”).
“Woods” is a good synonym to use if you get stuck choosing forrest or forest. Or, use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure you spell this word correctly.
- What’s the difference between jungle and forest?
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The nouns “forest” and “jungle” both refer to large areas covered by trees and other vegetation.
The difference is that “jungle” often carries the connotation of being tropical and more overgrown, therefore making it difficult for a human to pass through.
When using the word “forest,” make sure you don’t get confused between forrest and forest. If you have any doubt, use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to catch any spelling errors.
