climbing
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for climbing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The sport or activity of ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use climbing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English clymbyng, clymbynge; equivalent to climb + -ing.
Full origin of climbing →Frequently asked questions
What does “climbing” mean?
The word “climbing” means the sport or activity of ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety. In plain terms, the activity of going up something using your hands and feet, or (as an adjective) describing a plant that grows upward.
How do you pronounce “climbing”?
“Climbing” is pronounced KLEYE-mihng (/ˈklaɪ̯mɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “climbing” in a sentence?
Here is “climbing” used in a sentence: “She took up climbing after visiting an indoor climbing gym.”
What part of speech is “climbing”?
Depending on how it is used, “climbing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “climbing” a common word?
“Climbing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “climbing” have?
“Climbing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sport or activity of ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety.
What is the difference between climbing and mountaineering?
Climbing broadly means ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety, and includes gym and single-pitch routes. Mountaineering specifically refers to reaching the summit of a mountain, usually combining climbing with hiking, snow travel, and altitude challenges over longer expeditions.
When should you use climbing as an adjective versus a noun?
As a noun, climbing names the sport or activity itself, as in "climbing is her favourite hobby." As an adjective, it describes something that grows or moves upward by gripping a surface, as in "a climbing plant" or "a climbing vine."
What are common collocations with the word climbing?
Climbing frequently pairs with words describing the surface or style, such as "rock climbing," "wall climbing," "mountain climbing," and "indoor climbing." It also combines with equipment terms like "climbing rope," "climbing gear," and "climbing shoes."