climb
climb
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic spelling:
/klaɪm/
Syllable 1:
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/l/ - voiced lateral approximant
/aɪ/ - diphthong (as in "kite")
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
Word Form Variations
Base Form: climb
Third-person singular present: climbs
Present participle: climbing
Past tense: climbed
Past participle: climbed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To move or go up (something) using one's hands and feet or an apparatus, often with effort.
Synonyms: ascend, mount, scale, go up, scramble
Antonyms: descend, fall, drop, go down, dismount
Definition 2: To rise steadily to a higher point, level, or position.
Synonyms: increase, escalate, soar, rise, advance
Antonyms: decrease, decline, fall, drop, recede
Noun
Definition 1: An act or instance of climbing.
Synonyms: ascent, scramble, scaling, rise
Antonyms: descent, fall, drop
Definition 2: A place or route that is climbed.
Synonyms: ascent, incline, slope, gradient
Antonyms: descent, decline, flat, level ground
Examples of Use
Books: "He began to climb the rocky path, each step a testament to his determination, until he reached the summit and beheld the panoramic view." (From a work of fiction, illustrating the physical act of climbing)
Newspapers: "Housing prices continue to climb across major metropolitan areas, driven by high demand and limited supply." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications: "In an exclusive interview, the CEO explained the company's strategic decision to climb the ladder of technological innovation." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): A character in a blockbuster action film might declare, "We have to climb that building to get to the data core!" (Illustrating a perilous ascent)
Entertainment Platforms (Video Game): A common game mechanic involves players needing to "climb" walls or structures to access new areas or reach objectives. (Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed" series, various titles)
General Public Discourse: "After months of hard work, her career really started to climb, and she was offered a significant promotion." (A casual conversation about career progression)
General Public Discourse: "The local community group is organizing a sponsored climb of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for charity." (A discussion about a fundraising event)
10 Quotes Using Climb
"The best views come after the hardest climb." (Unknown)
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." (Sir Edmund Hillary, often associated with the phrase "The mountain climbs us.")
"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." (Theodore Roosevelt, sometimes paraphrased as "If you climb to the top...")
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." (Harriet Tubman, often used in inspirational contexts about the climb to freedom)
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." (Robert F. Kennedy, applicable to the climb towards success)
"Success is a climb, not a leap." (Unknown)
"To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"If you want to climb a mountain, begin at the top." (Zen proverb, interpreted as starting with the goal in mind)
"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." (Molière, reflecting on the climb over challenges)
"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it." (John Ruskin, relating to the growth experienced during a climb)
Etymology
The word "climb" has a pretty ancient history! It comes from the Old English word "climban," which already meant "to raise oneself using hands and feet" or "to rise gradually." You can think of this as its first known meaning, appearing before 1150.
If we go even further back in time, "climban" itself came from a Proto-Germanic word, "klimbaną," which meant "to go up by clinging." This gives us a good idea of the physical action involved – not just going up, but doing so by holding onto something.
Interestingly, this Proto-Germanic word is believed to be related to an even older root, from Proto-Indo-European (gley- or gleyH-), which had the meaning of "to stick" or "to cleave" (meaning to hold tightly to something).
So, essentially, the core idea behind "climb" has always been about moving upwards with effort, often by gripping or holding on to something. This connection to "sticking" or "clinging" makes perfect sense when you imagine someone climbing a tree or a rock face. Over time, the word evolved to also include more general ideas of rising, like prices or a career.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Climb
Climb the ladder: To advance in a career or social status.
Climb the walls: To be extremely restless, anxious, or bored.
Climb out of a hole: To recover from a difficult situation, especially financial.
Climb aboard: To get onto a vehicle, especially a large one like a ship or train.
Climb down: To retreat from a position or argument, or to admit one was wrong.
A steep climb: A difficult challenge or journey.
The climb to success: The arduous journey or effort required to achieve success.
Climb to the top: To reach the highest position or level in a field.
Climb every mountain: To overcome all obstacles.
Ascend to power: To gain control or authority (using a synonym for similar effect).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of climb from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
