riverbank

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "riverbank" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the land adjacent to a river's edge. For example, "They gathered along the riverbank to watch the passing boats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not far from the riverbank to the picnic tables and playgrounds, but the wild brush here, as in many parts of sun-baked south Texas, holds hazards: snakes, spiders, mosquitos and more.

The Guardian

Duane junior has just started a conservation project that involves fencing off large areas of riverbank where turtles lay their eggs.

The Guardian - Travel

Barbecue your catch on the riverbank for lunch, then after a bathe, a nap and more fishing, it's back to the farm for a sunset Pisco sour.

The Guardian - Travel

Strong light created hard contrasts, turning the riverbank into a black gash.

The Guardian

"Of course I would have voted if I could have," said Sergei, 29, who was walking along the riverbank in the city.

The Guardian

He was one of four children born to a timber collector, and he was raised in a shack on a flood-prone riverbank.

The Economist

The economic activity is a sign that, locally, the game of the river has changed and its power has been reduced.Here the riverbank is protected by low-tech means: heavy sandbags.

The Economist

They initially approached the town council with tempting plans to expand the small road that runs along the southern edge of the municipal golf course, and to clear the city's riverbank of fast-growing corrizo cane.

The Economist

On the Mexican side of the river, in Ciudad Miguel Aleman, a large group was picnicking on the riverbank, swimming, fishing and listening to music.

The Economist

COLOSSAL and empty, the Sofitel hotel soars above its prime location on Bangkok's riverbank.

The Economist

As it passes Mr Mishra's temple, at the upstream end of Varanasi's 6.5km (4 mile) stretch of terraced riverbank, or ghats, the Ganges contains 60,000 bacteria per 100ml.Downstream of the ghats, where 60,000 devotees perform daily ablutions in the river and 32 streams of raw sewage empty into it, the figure rises to 1.5m.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "riverbank" when specifically referring to the sloping side of a river that acts as a boundary. It's particularly apt when describing ecological features, construction projects, or recreational activities along a river.

Common error

Avoid using "riverside" interchangeably with "riverbank" in all contexts. "Riverside" often implies a location near the river, while "riverbank" specifically refers to the land immediately bordering the water.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "riverbank" is as a noun, typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "The city is now buying land along the "riverbank" to extend a green corridor."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "riverbank" correctly refers to the sloped side of a river, serving as a boundary between water and land. Ludwig AI validates its use in written English. This guide highlights that "riverbank" functions primarily as a noun, commonly used to describe physical locations next to a river. Its usage is very common across diverse sources like The Economist and The Guardian. When writing, remember that "riverbank" specifically denotes the land immediately bordering a river, distinguishing it from the broader term "riverside". While synonyms like "riverside" and "shoreline" exist, "riverbank" offers precision when describing features directly on the river's edge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

riverside

Focuses more on the side of the river, often emphasizing recreational or residential aspects.

bank of the river

A more descriptive and literal alternative, specifying the 'bank' belongs to a 'river'.

edge of the river

Similar to "water's edge" but specifically for rivers.

water's edge

Emphasizes the immediate boundary where the water meets the land.

riverfront

Often refers to a developed area along a river, like a promenade or commercial district.

shoreline

A more general term that can apply to any body of water, not just rivers.

river margin

Focuses on the outer edge or boundary of the river's domain.

river's border

Highlights the boundary aspect of the river's edge.

embankment

Implies a constructed structure to protect the land from the river.

foreshore

The area of the riverbank between the high and low water marks.

FAQs

How can I use "riverbank" in a sentence?

You can use "riverbank" to describe a location or feature directly adjacent to a river, as in, "They picnicked on the "riverbank"." or "The town is building a park along the "riverbank"."

What is the difference between "riverbank" and "shore"?

"Riverbank" refers specifically to the bank of a river, while "shore" is a more general term used for the edge of any body of water, including oceans and lakes. Therefore, you can only use "riverbank" for rivers, but you can use "shore" for any body of water.

What are some synonyms for "riverbank"?

Synonyms for "riverbank" include "riverside", "water's edge", and "bank of the river". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "river bank" instead of "riverbank"?

While "river bank" (two words) is understandable, "riverbank" (one word) is the more common and accepted form. Using the single-word form adds a sense of established terminology, especially in formal writing.