Your surroundings are everything around you in a particular place: the objects, landscape, buildings, people, sounds, and atmosphere that make up your environment. When you walk into a classroom, your surroundings include the desks, walls, windows, other students, and even the hum of the heating system. When you step outside, your surroundings might include trees, sidewalks, houses, birds chirping, and the smell of someone grilling hamburgers next door.

The word helps us talk about how a place feels and what's in it. A detective investigating a crime scene carefully observes her surroundings, noticing every detail that might provide a clue. A painter choosing where to set up an easel studies the surroundings to find the most inspiring view.

People often talk about how surroundings affect mood and behavior. Some students concentrate better when their surroundings are quiet and organized, while others don't mind a bit of cheerful chaos. Animals adapt to their surroundings: a polar bear's white fur helps it blend into snowy surroundings, while a chameleon can actually change color to match what is around it.

When you pay attention to your surroundings, you notice more about the world and stay safer too: you might spot a friend across the playground or notice a bicycle coming up behind you on the sidewalk.