hike
hike
Pronunciation
/haɪk/
Syllable Breakdown:
hike:
/haɪ/ (diphthong as in "hi")
/k/ (unvoiced velar stop)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hike
Plural Noun: hikes
Base Verb: hike
Third-person singular present verb: hikes
Present participle verb: hiking
Past tense verb: hiked
Past participle verb: hiked
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A long walk or tramp, especially one taken for pleasure or exercise in the countryside or mountains.
Synonyms: walk, trek, ramble, stroll, tramp, march, peregrination
Antonyms: drive, ride, commute
Definition 2: A sharp increase, especially in prices, taxes, or rates.
Synonyms: increase, rise, jump, surge, escalation, boost
Antonyms: decrease, drop, fall, reduction, cut
Verb
Definition 1: To walk a long distance, especially through the countryside or mountains for pleasure or exercise.
Synonyms: walk, trek, ramble, stroll, tramp, march
Antonyms: drive, ride
Definition 2: To pull or lift something up with a sudden movement.
Synonyms: hoist, hitch, pull up, yank, raise
Antonyms: lower, drop, let down
Definition 3: (Of prices, taxes, etc.) To increase sharply.
Synonyms: increase, raise, push up, elevate, jump
Antonyms: decrease, lower, reduce, cut
Examples of Use
Books:
"We went on a several-day hike through the Appalachian Trail, carrying everything we needed on our backs." (Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods, 1998)
"Every morning, before the city truly woke, he would hike to the highest point in the park, finding solace in the quiet dawn."
Newspapers:
"The central bank announced a significant hike in interest rates yesterday, aiming to curb inflation." (The Wall Street Journal, May 2024)
"Conservation efforts are focused on preserving the trails where many people hike and enjoy nature." (The Guardian, January 2025)
Online Publications:
"Before you embark on your next solo hike, make sure you're equipped with these essential safety items." (Outdoor Project, November 2024)
"Analysts predict a tech stock hike as new artificial intelligence innovations continue to dominate the market." (TechCrunch, April 2025)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In the film Wild (2014), Cheryl Strayed embarks on a challenging solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.
The phrase "Go take a hike!" is often used in comedic television shows or films to dismiss someone rudely.
Many video games feature characters who "level up" by going on a challenging hike or journey through difficult terrain to gain experience.
General Public Discourse:
"I'm planning to hike up Mount Kenya next month; the views from the top are supposed to be incredible."
"Did you hear about the gas price hike? It's going to make my commute much more expensive."
"My doctor told me I need to hike more often to improve my cardiovascular health."
10 Quotes Using Hike
"We don't stop hiking because we grow old. We grow old because we stop hiking." – Finis Mitchell
"Hike more. Worry less." – Unknown
"Hiking is just walking where it's okay to pee." – Demetri Martin
"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than trees." While this quote from Henry David Thoreau doesn't explicitly use "hike," it perfectly captures the spirit of hiking.
"The mountains are calling, and I must go." – John Muir (Often associated with hiking and exploring nature.)
"It never ceases to amaze me that hiking, the thing that causes such pain, also causes such joy.” – Unknown
"I don't smoke, I try to eat right, and I love doing yoga and going for hikes with my dog." - Sarah Chalke
"My most memorable hikes can be classified as 'Shortcuts that Backfired'." - Edward Abbey
"Hiking is the ultimate way to multitask. You get some exercise, enjoy nature, and completely ignore your problems." – Unknown
"If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments." – Earl Wilson (This one uses "hike" in the context of "price hike" which is less direct, but refers to a financial increase, consistent with the definition provided earlier).
Etymology
The word "hike" has an interesting history, and its exact beginning is a bit of a mystery! It's been around since the early 1800s, where it was often spelled "hyke."
The very first known meaning of "hike" was "to walk vigorously" or "to go away" (sometimes in a dismissive, "take yourself off!" kind of way). This sense of walking with energy or moving quickly seems to be the oldest.
It's thought to have come from an English dialect word, and some researchers believe it might be related to an even older word, "yike," from the 1700s, which also meant "to walk vigorously." There's also a possibility it's connected to "hitch," in the sense of pulling or moving something with a jerk, as in "hiking up your pants."
It wasn't until the early 1900s that "hike" became widely popular to describe those long, recreational walks we take in the countryside or mountains. The meaning of "a sharp increase" (like a price hike) came a bit later, in the mid to late 1800s, and probably developed from the idea of "pulling something up" or "raising" it.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hike
Take a hike!: An informal, often rude way to tell someone to go away.
Hike up one's socks/pants: To pull up one's socks or pants, often in preparation for strenuous activity or to show determination.
Go on a hike: To undertake a long walk, usually for pleasure in nature.
Price hike: A sharp increase in the cost of something.
Tax hike: An increase in taxes.
Interest rate hike: An increase in the percentage charged on borrowed money.
To hike up the bill: To increase the cost of a service or product, sometimes unfairly.
A long hike ahead: Refers to a difficult or extended task or journey yet to be completed.
Hike to the top: To reach the summit of a mountain or achieve a high level of success.
Trail hike: Specifically refers to walking along a designated path or trail.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hike from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
