Mountainous: meaning, definitions and examples

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mountainous

 

[ ˈmaʊntənəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

landscape description

Mountainous refers to an area characterized by many mountains. It often describes terrains that are elevated and rugged, typically associated with natural beauty and challenges for travel or habitation.

Synonyms

elevated, hilly, rocky

Examples of usage

  • The mountainous region attracts hikers and climbers.
  • They drove through the mountainous countryside.
  • The town is nestled in a mountainous area.
  • Mountainous terrains can be difficult to navigate.

Translations

Translations of the word "mountainous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 montanhoso

🇮🇳 पर्वतीय

🇩🇪 gebirgig

🇮🇩 bergunung

🇺🇦 гірський

🇵🇱 górzysty

🇯🇵 山岳の

🇫🇷 montagneux

🇪🇸 montañoso

🇹🇷 dağlık

🇰🇷 산악의

🇸🇦 جبلي

🇨🇿 horský

🇸🇰 horsky

🇨🇳 山区的

🇸🇮 gorski

🇮🇸 fjalllendi

🇰🇿 тау

🇬🇪 მთიანი

🇦🇿 dağlıq

🇲🇽 montañoso

Etymology

The word 'mountainous' originates from the Middle English term 'mountanyous,' a derivative of 'mountain,' which comes from the Old French 'mountaine.' This, in turn, traces back to the Latin word 'montanum,' which means 'mountain' derived from 'mons,' meaning 'mount.' The use of 'mountainous' can be seen as early as the 15th century, and it has evolved to describe geographical features extensively. The prefix 'mount-' denotes elevation, while the suffix '-ous' implies a conducive quality, giving the word a direct relationship to the physical characteristics of mountainous areas. Today, it broadly describes not only the presence of mountains but also the influence of such terrain on climate, culture, and human activity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,425, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.