mountainous

adjective

moun·​tain·​ous ˈmau̇n-tə-nəs How to pronounce mountainous (audio)
ˈmau̇nt-nəs
1
: containing many mountains
2
: resembling a mountain : huge
mountainously adverb
mountainousness noun

Examples of mountainous in a Sentence

the seemingly mountainous obstacles he had to overcome while growing up
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bordering Honduras to the south and Costa Rica to the north, Nicaragua shares aspects of both — mountainous terrain, defined dry and rainy seasons, the threat of hurricanes, and a challenging transportation network. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 The villages in this mountainous landscape are home to a pastoral nomadic community that has lived for generations in close connection with the land. Natela Grigalashvili, The Dial, 20 May 2025 Insects that live in mountainous areas have evolved ways to compensate for these environmental conditions. Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025 Now a staple across the Coffee Belt, restaurants in Colombia’s mountainous regions offer calentados, sans leftovers. 6. Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mountainous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mounteynous, borrowed from Anglo-French muntaignus, from muntaigne, mountaigne mountain + -us -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mountainous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mountainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountainous. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

mountainous

adjective
moun·​tain·​ous ˈmau̇nt-ᵊn-əs How to pronounce mountainous (audio)
-nəs
1
: having many mountains
2
: resembling a mountain : huge

More from Merriam-Webster on mountainous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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