environment可指影响人们生活的各种抽象和具体的“状况,环境”。the environment特指自然环境,其后的谓语动词用单数形式。

A bad home environment can affect a child's healthy growth.不良的家庭环境能影响儿童的健康成长。
The room is the best environment to work in.这个房间是最佳的工作环境。
An increasing number of people are concerned about the pollution of the environment.越来越多的人关心环境污染问题。

environment, circumstance, surroundings
参见circumstance条。

environment, backdrop, background, setting
参见background条。

［同义词］   conditions, circumstances, surroundings
［词源］＜古法语environner(环境,四周)