col
6 synonyms for col, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
defile
mountain pass
How to use col
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a mountain col
cross the col
Etymology
From French col, "neck," from Latin collum, "neck" — the shape of a mountain col resembles a neck between two higher points.
Full origin of col →Frequently asked questions
What does “col” mean?
The word “col” means a low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks. In plain terms, a low point or gap along a mountain ridge, used as a pass between peaks.
How do you pronounce “col”?
“Col” is pronounced kol (/kɑl/ in IPA).
How do you use “col” in a sentence?
Here is “col” used in a sentence: “The hikers rested at the col before continuing to the summit.”
What part of speech is “col”?
“Col” is a noun.
Where does the word “col” come from?
The word “col” comes from Latin. From French col, "neck," from Latin collum, "neck" — the shape of a mountain col resembles a neck between two higher points.
Is “col” a common word?
“Col” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “col” have?
“Col” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks.
What is the difference between a col and a pass?
A col is the lowest dip or saddle in a mountain ridge between two peaks. A pass is a navigable route through or over mountains, and it often runs across a col, so a col is the geographic feature while a pass describes the crossing itself.
What is the difference between a col and a saddle?
The two are very close in meaning and often used interchangeably. 'Saddle' emphasises the dipped, saddle-like shape of the ridge, while 'col' is the more technical geographic term for that low point between two peaks.
How does a col affect the weather?
In meteorology a col is a region of relatively slack pressure sitting between two areas of high pressure and two of low pressure. Winds there tend to be light and variable, so the weather is often calm, and it can be prone to fog or mist.
What is a col used for in mountaineering?
Because a col is the lowest point on a ridge, it is often the easiest place for climbers and walkers to cross from one side of a mountain range to the other. Many established mountain routes and passes therefore run over cols.
