funicular
2 synonyms for funicular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A railway on a steep slope in which two linked cars, joined by a cable, move up and down at the same time and counterbalance each other.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
funicular railway
cliff railway
How to use funicular
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take the funicular
a funicular railway
ride the funicular
funicular cable
Funicular is a fairly technical word, most often met as a noun for the railway rather than the adjective.
Etymology
Funicular comes from the Latin funiculus, meaning a thin cord, itself a diminutive of funis, meaning rope. The word was formed by adding the ending -ar to this root, giving the sense of something to do with a rope or cable.
Full origin of funicular →Frequently asked questions
What is a funicular?
It is a type of railway on a steep incline where two cars, linked by a cable, move in opposite directions and balance each other's weight.
How does a funicular work?
The two cars are connected by a single cable running over a pulley system, so as one car descends it helps pull the other car up.
Is funicular only used for railways?
No, as an adjective it can describe anything to do with a rope or cable, not just the railway itself.
