adj
Uncommon
alpine
AL-pyn
Alpine (adj) means relating to the Alps or to high mountains in general. Example: “They spent a week hiking through alpine meadows.”
adj
1
Relating to the Alps or to high mountains in general.
"They spent a week hiking through alpine meadows."
"Alpine skiing is one of the most popular events at the Winter Olympics."
"The alpine air was thin and cold at the top of the pass."
noun
1
A small plant native to high mountain regions, often grown in rock gardens.
"She filled the rockery with hardy alpines."
"Several alpines bloomed between the stones along the garden path."
"This nursery sells alpines that cope well with cold, windy ground."
How to use alpine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelated to the Alps, or more broadly to high mountain environments.
Common pairings
alpine skiing
alpine village
alpine climate
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Word forms
- Plural
- alpines
- Comparative
- more Alpine
- Superlative
- most Alpine
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They spent a week hiking through _____ meadows.
Etymology
From Latin Alpinus, from Alpes, "the Alps".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for alpine
See all rhymes for alpine →Frequently asked questions
What does “alpine” mean?
The word “alpine” means relating to the Alps or to high mountains in general. In plain terms, related to the Alps, or more broadly to high mountain environments.
How do you pronounce “alpine”?
“Alpine” is pronounced AL-pyn (/ˈæl.paɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “alpine” in a sentence?
Here is “alpine” used in a sentence: “They spent a week hiking through alpine meadows.”
What part of speech is “alpine”?
Depending on how it is used, “alpine” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “alpine” come from?
The word “alpine” comes from Latin. From Latin Alpinus, from Alpes, "the Alps".
Is “alpine” a common word?
“Alpine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alpine” have?
“Alpine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the Alps or to high mountains in general.
What is the difference between "alpine" and "mountainous"?
"Alpine" specifically relates to the Alps or to high mountain environments resembling them, often implying cold climates and specific ecosystems, while "mountainous" simply describes terrain with many mountains generally. "Alpine" carries more precise connotations of high-altitude conditions, such as alpine plants or alpine skiing.
Why are certain garden plants called "alpines"?
Garden plants called "alpines" are small plants native to high mountain regions, adapted to cold, exposed, rocky conditions, and are often grown in rock gardens to mimic their natural habitat. The term reflects their origin in alpine, high-altitude environments rather than any single geographic location.
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