climbing

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablesport

   the sport or activity of going up mountains, rocks, or cliffs

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'go': I go climbing every weekend.

   Patterns

   • go climbing
   • rock climbing
   • mountain climbing
   • climbing gear

   Rock climbing requires strength and technique.

   We went climbing in the mountains last summer.

   She bought new shoes for climbing.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   relating to the activity of going up, or (of a plant) growing up a support

   Grammar: Used before a noun: climbing rope, climbing plant.

   Patterns

   • climbing plant
   • climbing rose
   • climbing frame

   The climbing rose has covered the whole wall.

   He packed his climbing gear for the trip.

   Children love playing on the climbing frame.

3. 3verbintransitive

   present participle of climb; going up something

   Grammar: Used in progressive tenses: She is climbing the ladder.

   Patterns

   • be climbing
   • climbing up
   • climbing over

   He is climbing the stairs slowly.

   They were climbing over the fence when I saw them.

   The cat is climbing up the tree.

Common combinations

go climbing

We often go climbing on weekends.

rock climbing

Rock climbing is a popular outdoor sport.

mountain climbing

Mountain climbing can be dangerous in bad weather.

climbing gear

Make sure you have the right climbing gear.

climbing plant

Ivy is a common climbing plant.

Synonyms and how they differ

mountaineering

Mountaineering specifically means climbing high mountains, often with technical equipment; climbing is broader and includes rock climbing and bouldering.

ascending

Ascending is a formal word meaning going up; climbing implies effort and often using hands and feet.

Opposites

Word family

climb verb

to go up something

climber noun

a person who climbs

Commonly confused: climbing or clime?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “climbing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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