noun
Uncommon
tor
taw
Tor (noun) means a rocky hill or a craggy rock outcrop on a hilltop, formed by erosion. Example: “They hiked up to the granite tor overlooking the moor.”
noun
1
A rocky hill or a craggy rock outcrop on a hilltop, formed by erosion.
"They hiked up to the granite tor overlooking the moor."
"A weathered tor stood against the sky on the hilltop."
"We scrambled over loose stones to reach the top of the tor."
"The moon was low upon the right, and the jagged pinnacle of a granite tor stood up against the lower curve of its silver disc."
— , Second Report of Dr. Watson (1901)
How to use tor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rocky outcrop on top of a hill, common on British moorland like Dartmoor.
Common pairings
granite tor
climb a tor
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Word forms
- Plural
- tors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They hiked up to the granite _____ overlooking the moor.
Etymology
From Old English torr ("high rock, tower"), ultimately traced back to Latin turris ("tower").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tor” mean?
The word “tor” means a rocky hill or a craggy rock outcrop on a hilltop, formed by erosion. In plain terms, a rocky outcrop on top of a hill, common on British moorland like Dartmoor.
How do you pronounce “tor”?
“Tor” is pronounced taw (/toɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tor” in a sentence?
Here is “tor” used in a sentence: “They hiked up to the granite tor overlooking the moor.”
What part of speech is “tor”?
“Tor” is a noun.
Where does the word “tor” come from?
The word “tor” comes from Latin. From Old English torr ("high rock, tower"), ultimately traced back to Latin turris ("tower").
Is “tor” a common word?
“Tor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a tor and a hill?
A tor is specifically a rocky hill or a craggy rock outcrop formed by erosion, often with exposed granite or similar stone at its summit. A hill is a more general term for any raised landform, which may or may not have rocky outcrops.
Where are tors commonly found?
Tors are commonly associated with upland landscapes in Britain, such as Dartmoor, where erosion has exposed craggy rock formations on hilltops.
Is tor a formal geological term?
Tor is a recognized geological and geographical term used to describe a specific type of rocky hill formation shaped by weathering and erosion, rather than a purely casual descriptor.
