hike
hyk
Hike (noun) means a long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually outdoors. Example: “We went on a six-mile hike through the forest.”
noun
1
A long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually outdoors.
"We went on a six-mile hike through the forest."
"Pack water and sturdy boots before setting off on a long hike."
"Our weekend hike ended with a picnic beside the lake."
2
A sudden or sharp increase, especially in price.
"Customers were furious about the surprise price hike."
"The sudden hike in rent forced several families to move out."
"Shoppers noticed a sharp hike in bus fares this winter."
verb
1
To walk a long distance, especially over rough or natural terrain, for pleasure or fitness.
"They hiked to the summit before sunrise."
"I love hiking along the coast path when the weather is dry."
"We hiked for hours before we found a place to camp."
2
To raise a price, rate, or amount sharply.
"The airline hiked its fares just before the holidays."
"The council plans to hike parking charges across the town centre."
"Landlords hiked rents again, leaving many tenants struggling to cope."
How to use hike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long outdoor walk, or a sudden increase in cost — as a verb, either to go on such a walk or to raise a price sharply.
Common pairings
go for a hike
price hike
hike the rate
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Word forms
- Plural
- hikes
- Third person singular
- hikes
- Past tense
- hiked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We went on a six-mile _____ through the forest.
Etymology
Likely from an English dialect word hyke, "to walk vigorously," itself probably a Northern form of hitch.
Related words
Rhymes for hike
See all rhymes for hike →Frequently asked questions
What does “hike” mean?
The word “hike” means a long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually outdoors. In plain terms, a long outdoor walk, or a sudden increase in cost — as a verb, either to go on such a walk or to raise a price sharply.
How do you pronounce “hike”?
“Hike” is pronounced hyk (/haɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hike” in a sentence?
Here is “hike” used in a sentence: “We went on a six-mile hike through the forest.”
What part of speech is “hike”?
Depending on how it is used, “hike” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “hike” a common word?
“Hike” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “hike” have?
“Hike” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually outdoors.
What is the difference between a hike and a walk?
A walk can be short and on any surface, while a hike is a long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually outdoors over rough or natural terrain. Hikes tend to be more strenuous and are associated with the countryside, hills, or trails.
What is the difference between a hike and a trek?
A hike is typically a long walk that can be completed in a day, while a trek suggests a longer, more demanding journey on foot, often over several days and difficult terrain. All treks involve hiking, but a trek implies greater distance and effort.
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