‘Forest’ or ‘Forrest’: How to Spell ‘Forest’ Correctly

By Shanea Patterson, updated on November 15, 2022

Wondering whether it’s ‘forest’ or ‘forrest’? We’ve got you covered. We’ll explore that in this article and discuss the definition, plus how to use it in a sentence correctly.

But the short answer is that the correct way to spell it is ‘forest.’ It’s never correct to spell it ‘forrest.’

‘Forrest’ or ‘Forest’ – What’s the Correct Spelling of This Word?

We’ve already spilled the beans and told you that ‘forest’ is the correct spelling of the word. You might be tempted to spell it with two ‘r’s’ because a lot of words have double letters back to back, such as words like ‘mongoose,’ ‘deer,’ and ‘moose.’

Definition and Meaning

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘forest’ is “a dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract,” “a tract of wooded land in England formerly owned by the sovereign and used for game,” “something resembling a forest, especially in profusion or lushness.”

The definition of the verb is “to cover with trees or forest.”

Some synonyms of the word include:

  • Forestland
  • Wood(s)
  • Timber
  • Woodland
  • Timberland

Understanding Nouns

A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea, which means the word ‘forest’ falls into the noun category.

Nouns are usually the subject or object of a sentence.

Sometimes, they can even play the role of an adjective and other types of words.

Pronouns are nouns used in place of a noun. For example, words like ‘she,’ ‘we,’ and ‘they’ are all proper nouns.

A Brief History

The word ‘forest’ comes from Middle English and Anglo-French languages.  It comes from the late Latin forestis (silva), meaning unenclosed (woodland). It’s also from the Latin word foris, which means outside.

The first known use was in the 13th century, and it was used to mean the first definition offered.

It was also used as a verb as early as 1828.

Some phrases containing the word include:

  • Cloud forest
  • Forest floor
  • Rain forest
  • Gallery forest
  • Tropical rain forest
  • Temperate rain forest
  • Forest green
  • Forest ranger

How to Use it In a Sentence Correctly 

So, we’ve looked at the definition and the correct spelling. Let’s see some examples of how to use it in a sentence correctly.

Here are a few:

  • The forest we want to go camping in is located at the edge of a cliff.
  • My auntie loves hiking in the forest near her cabin.
  • I’d rather be at the office working than in this forest on this company retreat.
  • My family drags me hiking to the same forest every day in the summer

Final Thoughts on ‘Forest’ and ‘Forrest’ 

Remembering how to spell the word ‘forest’ should be easy with a bit of practice.

If you fumble it, it can’t be any worse than when Trump spelled ‘forest’ wrong and everyone talked about it. Remember that the word is the opposite of words like 'food.'

Still worried about that happening? Don’t worry. We have a whole library of articles dedicated to explaining confusing words and phrases. So, if you ever get stuck, you can always head back on over and browse the collection. Brushing up on your English or learning for the first time just got a little bit easier.

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook. Just click those two links - you'll see why.

It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.

Written By:
Shanea Patterson
Shanea Patterson is a writer based in New York and loves writing for brands big and small. She has a master's degree in professional writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree in English from Mercy College.

Add new comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WritingTips.org Newsletter
Receive information on
new articles posted, important topics, and tips.
Join Now
We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
magnifier