noun

Matterhorn

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Matterhorn (noun) means a task, obstacle, or challenge so daunting it feels almost impossible to overcome. Example: “Learning the whole symphony in a week felt like her own personal Matterhorn.”

noun

A task, obstacle, or challenge so daunting it feels almost impossible to overcome.

"Learning the whole symphony in a week felt like her own personal Matterhorn."

"Clearing out decades of paperwork was the matterhorn of the office move."

How to use Matterhorn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stand-in for "the hardest part" of any undertaking, borrowed from the famously steep, hard-to-climb mountain.

Memory tip

Usually used figuratively in English, not to talk about the actual mountain — context makes clear which is meant.

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Common pairings

a Matterhorn of a task face your Matterhorn

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Learning the whole symphony in a week felt like her own personal _____.

Etymology

Named after the Matterhorn, the sharply pointed mountain on the Swiss-Italian border — one of the most recognisable and difficult peaks in the Alps.

Origin: Italian

Frequently asked questions

What does “Matterhorn” mean?

The word “Matterhorn” means a task, obstacle, or challenge so daunting it feels almost impossible to overcome. In plain terms, a stand-in for "the hardest part" of any undertaking, borrowed from the famously steep, hard-to-climb mountain.

How do you use “Matterhorn” in a sentence?

Here is “Matterhorn” used in a sentence: “Learning the whole symphony in a week felt like her own personal Matterhorn.”

What part of speech is “Matterhorn”?

“Matterhorn” is a noun.

Where does the word “Matterhorn” come from?

The word “Matterhorn” comes from Italian. Named after the Matterhorn, the sharply pointed mountain on the Swiss-Italian border — one of the most recognisable and difficult peaks in the Alps.

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Vocabulary lists that include Matterhorn:

Words with Italian origins