climb

¹climb

verb \ˈklīm\

Definition of CLIMB

intransitive verb

1

a : to go upward with gradual or continuous progress : rise, ascend <watching the smoke climb>

b : to increase gradually <prices are continuing to climb>

c : to slope upward <a climbing path>

2

a : to go upward or raise oneself especially by grasping or clutching with the hands <climbed aboard the train>

b of a plant : to ascend in growth (as by twining)

3

: to go about or down usually by grasping or holding with the hands <climb down the ladder>

4

: to get into or out of clothing usually with some haste or effort <the firefighters climbed into their clothes>

transitive verb

1

: to go upward on or along, to the top of, or over <climb a hill>

2

: to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the top of by using hands and feet <children climbing the tree>

3

: to grow up or over <ivy climbing the wall>

— climb·able \ˈklī-mə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of CLIMB

1. He dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro.
2. It took them six days to climb the mountain.
3. She has climbed seriously for several years now.
4. The actors were climbing down from the stage.
5. He climbed over the fence.
6. The passengers of the sailboat climbed aboard.
7. The pilot climbed into the cockpit.
8. I think she climbed in through the window.
9. He climbed out of the car with a box in his hands.

Origin of CLIMB

Middle English, from Old English climban; probably akin to Old English clifian to adhere — more at cleave

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLIMB

Synonyms

clamber, scrabble, scramble, swarm

Antonyms

decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off), plunge

Related Words

shimmy, shin, shinny, skin; ascend, breast [chiefly British], free-climb, get up, mount, scale, summit, surmount; claw, sprawl, struggle

Near Antonyms

dive, nose-dive, plummet, sink, slide

²climb

noun

Definition of CLIMB

1

: a place where climbing is necessary to progress

2

: the act or an instance of climbing : rise, ascent

Examples of CLIMB

1. It's a 20-minute climb to the ridge from here.
2. He's planning to attempt one of the most difficult climbs in South America this summer.
3. The book made a rapid climb to the top of the best-seller list.

First Known Use of CLIMB

circa 1587

Related to CLIMB

Synonyms

ascension, ascent, rise, rising, soar

Antonyms

descent, dip, dive, drop, fall, nosedive, plunge

Related Words

boost, hike, increase, raise; blastoff, elevation, hoist, levitation, liftoff, raising, takeoff; heave, thrust, upheaval, uplifting, upraising, upsurge, upsweep, upswing, upthrust, uptrend, upturn, upwelling

Near Antonyms

plop, plummeting, sinking; decline, decrease, down; comedown, downfall, downgrade