environs

/ɪnˈvaɪrənz/

The environs are the areas surrounding a specific place. If you want to go to Boston and its environs on vacation, you might spend time in downtown Boston, but you may also visit Cambridge, Braintree, and Lexington.

In general, the environs are the areas surrounding a particular place or location. Environs is a plural noun taking a plural verb, and it comes from an Old French word, environer, meaning to enclose, surround, or encircle. When you book your hotel reservations, you should make sure the environs around the hotel are safe. No matter how clean the hotel is or how good the breakfast, you wouldn't want to stay in an area where you would be leery of going out at night.

Definitions of environs

1. noun

   the area in which something exists or lives
   synonyms: environment, surround, surroundings

   types:

   ambiance, ambience

   the atmosphere of an environment

   medium

   the surrounding environment

   scene, setting

   the context and environment in which something is set

   element

   the most favorable environment for a plant or animal

   habitat, home ground

   the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives or occurs

   melting pot

   an environment in which many ideas and races are socially assimilated

   parts

   the local environment

   scenario

   a setting for a work of art or literature

   habitation

   the native habitat or home of an animal or plant

   type of:

   geographic area, geographic region, geographical area, geographical region

   a demarcated area of the Earth
2. noun

   an outer adjacent area of any place
   synonyms: purlieu

   type of:

   geographic area, geographic region, geographical area, geographical region

   a demarcated area of the Earth