Definition

Noun: 1. A large area of land; extensive landed property: This is the primary meaning, referring to a significant tract of land, often in the countryside, owned by a person or family. It emphasizes the extent and ownership of the land. * The family's acres included a farmhouse, fields, and a private forest. * He inherited several hundred acres from his grandfather.

Usage Notes

• The word "acres" is the plural form of "acre," a unit of area measurement (equal to 4,840 square yards or about 0.4 hectares). However, when used in the plural form "acres," it often functions as a general term for a large expanse of land, not necessarily a precise measurement.
• It is commonly used to describe rural, agricultural, or undeveloped land that is part of an estate or property.
• The word can imply wealth, heritage, or a connection to the land.

Examples

• They purchased twenty acres of land to build their dream home.
• The castle was surrounded by vast, rolling acres.
• She walked for miles across the open acres of the family estate.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Sometimes used figuratively to describe a very large area or amount of something non-physical.
  • The new shopping mall covered acres of concrete.
  • He has acres of paperwork to finish.

Variants and Related Words

• Acre (n): The singular form, primarily used as a unit of measurement.
  • The plot is exactly one acre in size.
• Estate (n): A large area of landed property, often with a large house. This is a close synonym but often implies more developed property.
• Landholding (n): A piece of land owned or held.
• Tract (n): An extended area of land.

Synonyms

• Estate
• Land
• Property
• Demesne (a more formal/literary term for an estate)
• Grounds

Idioms and Phrases

• To come into (one's) acres: To inherit a large estate or property.
  • When he comes into his acres, he plans to modernize the farm.

Noun

1. extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
   • the family owned a large estate on Long Island