mountainous
MOUN-tin-us
/ˈmaʊntɪnəs/
Having many mountains; characterized by rugged, elevated terrain.
Describes regions dominated by peaks, steep inclines, and high elevation.
The story behind the word. Derived through Anglo-Norman French from Latin 'montanus' (pertaining to mountains), built on the Latin root 'mons'. English adopted 'mountainous' in the 14th century to describe land dominated by huge peaks.
Word relationships
- craggy: 'Craggy' focuses on rough, steep rocks rather than overall mountainous region size.
- hilly: 'Hilly' describes smaller elevations compared to towering mountains.
- flat: Flat lands lack significant elevation change.
- planar: Planar describes geometric flat surfaces.
Commonly confused with
- plateau: A plateau is elevated but broad and flat on top, unlike a jagged mountainous landscape.
Word family
- mountain (noun): A large natural elevation of the earth's surface.
- mountaineer (noun): A person who climbs mountains.
Collocations
- mountainous terrain
- mountainous region
- mountainous area
- mountainous landscape
Example sentences
- "The mountainous district of South America presented a stark contrast to the plains." Naturalist journals
- "Navigating through the mountainous terrain required experienced drivers and durable vehicles." Travel literature
Memory hook
Contains 'MOUNTAIN' — land full of giant mountains. Full of towering mountain peaks.
When not to use
Do not use for flat plains, plateaus without peaks, or gently rolling hills.
Fun facts
- Nearly 24% of the Earth's land surface is classified as mountainous.
Explore more words
scenic, topography, backcountry, densely-populated, ascent, temperate
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