noun
Uncommon
boulder
BOHL-duh
Boulder (noun) means a large rock, especially one that has broken off and lies separate from the surrounding land. Example: “They stopped to rest on a huge boulder beside the trail.”
noun
1
A large rock, especially one that has broken off and lies separate from the surrounding land.
"They stopped to rest on a huge boulder beside the trail."
"A boulder had rolled down and blocked half the road."
"The farmer could not plough the field until he had moved the enormous boulder."
verb
1
To practise bouldering, a form of rock climbing done without ropes on short, low routes.
"They spent the afternoon bouldering at the climbing gym."
"My cousin boulders every weekend and has grown very strong fingers."
"I have never bouldered outdoors, but I would love to try it."
How to use boulder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big loose rock, or (as a verb) to climb short rock routes without ropes.
Common pairings
a huge boulder
go bouldering
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Word forms
- Plural
- boulders
- Third person singular
- boulders
- Past tense
- bouldered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They stopped to rest on a huge _____ beside the trail.
Etymology
From Middle English "boulder stone," probably from an Old Swedish word for a large rock in a stream that made the water roar as it passed.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for boulder
See all rhymes for boulder →Frequently asked questions
What does “boulder” mean?
The word “boulder” means a large rock, especially one that has broken off and lies separate from the surrounding land. In plain terms, a big loose rock, or (as a verb) to climb short rock routes without ropes.
How do you pronounce “boulder”?
“Boulder” is pronounced BOHL-duh (/ˈboʊldɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “boulder” in a sentence?
Here is “boulder” used in a sentence: “They stopped to rest on a huge boulder beside the trail.”
What part of speech is “boulder”?
Depending on how it is used, “boulder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “boulder” come from?
The word “boulder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "boulder stone," probably from an Old Swedish word for a large rock in a stream that made the water roar as it passed.
Is “boulder” a common word?
“Boulder” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “boulder” have?
“Boulder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large rock, especially one that has broken off and lies separate from the surrounding land.
What is the difference between a boulder and a rock?
A boulder specifically refers to a large rock, often one that has broken away from its original surroundings and lies separate on the ground. "Rock" is a general term that covers stones of any size, so all boulders are rocks but not all rocks are boulders.
What is the difference between bouldering and rock climbing?
Bouldering is a form of rock climbing done on short, low routes without ropes or harnesses, relying instead on crash pads and safety spotters. Traditional rock climbing usually involves ropes and protection gear on taller routes where a fall would be more dangerous.
Can boulder be used as a verb?
Yes, to boulder means to practise bouldering, the ropeless form of rock climbing done on low routes. For example, someone might say they are going bouldering at an indoor gym or an outdoor boulder field.
