Meaning & use
abseiling
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“abseiling” is a form of “abseil”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountableBritishsport
The sport or activity of going down a cliff or wall by sliding along a rope fixed above.
Grammar: Mass noun: we went abseiling.
Patterns
- go abseiling
We tried abseiling down the quarry wall on the school trip.
Abseiling requires a harness and a trained instructor.
Her favorite part of the adventure weekend was abseiling.
verbintransitiveBritish
Lowering yourself down a steep surface using a rope and a controlled grip.
Grammar: No object; often followed by down: abseiling down a cliff.
Patterns
- abseiling down something
The rescue team is abseiling down the cliff face.
He was abseiling when the rope caught.
Common combinations
- go abseiling
- We went abseiling in the Peak District.
- abseiling course
- She took an abseiling course.
- abseiling down
- He is abseiling down a waterfall.
- abseiling equipment
- Check your abseiling equipment first.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rappelling
- Rappelling is the American word for the same activity.
- descending
- Descending is general and does not need a rope.
- climbing
- Climbing goes up, while abseiling goes down.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: abseiling or zip-lining?
abseiling vs zip-lining
Zip-lining is a ride along a sloping cable and not a controlled climb down.
Practice
Which activity is abseiling?
Choose one answer.
Abseiling means descending on a rope. Climbing up is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abseiling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.