WordGarden.ioclimb
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /klˈaɪm/
US
- /ˈklaɪm/
Meanings
Verb
to move upward, especially using effort or the hands and feet
to increase or become higher in amount, level, or value
to advance to a higher rank, status, or position
Noun
an upward journey, route, or difficult ascent
an increase in amount, level, or value
Beyond the definition
To climb means to go upward, often using your hands and feet—think scaling a mountain or even climbing a flight of stairs. But it's not always physical. You can also "climb" the corporate ladder, meaning you work hard to advance in your career. A determined little ant might climb a towering blade of grass, while a seasoned mountaineer climbs Everest. And numbers can climb too—prices, temperatures, and counts. The context tells you whether we're talking about rocks, reputations, or rising figures.
The word "climb" most commonly refers to the act of ascending something—going upwards using effort and often involving hands and feet. Picture a child climbing a tree, a hiker climbing a steep trail, or a firefighter climbing a ladder to rescue someone. "She climbed the rocky cliff with determination."
Climbing doesn’t have to be straight up a wall, either: you can climb a hill, climb into a truck, or watch a plane climb after takeoff. And while the core idea is upward movement, you’ll also hear it in phrases like "climb down the ladder," where the same careful, effortful motion happens in the opposite direction.
However, "climb" isn't limited to physical movement. It can also be used metaphorically to describe progress or advancement. You might "climb the social ladder," meaning you work your way up in society, or "climb the ranks" at a company, indicating career progression. "He climbed to the top of his profession through years of hard work."
Interestingly, "climb" can also refer to the increase in something, such as prices or temperatures. "The cost of living continues to climb" means it's getting more expensive.
As a noun, a "climb" is the act of going up (or the uphill stretch itself): "a long climb," "a steep climb," or even "a tough climb" for something challenging in general.
So, whether you're talking about conquering a mountain peak, gaining altitude, achieving success, or watching prices rise, "climb" points to movement toward a higher level—physical, metaphorical, or numerical. It often carries a sense of effort and gradual progress, with a goal that sits above where you started.
Examples
- 1
Hiking
We climbed the hill before sunrise.
- 2
Animals
The cat climbed up the tree and wouldn't come down.
- 3
Vehicle entry
She climbed into the truck and closed the door.
- Patternclimb into + vehicle/place
get into something high or awkward
- 4
Obstacles
He climbed over the fence to get the ball back.
- Patternclimb over + barrier
go across the top of it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Roads
The road climbs steeply after the bridge.
- Patternroad/path climbs
the road or path goes upward
- 6
Prices
House prices have climbed a lot in the last few years.
- Patternprices climb
prices go up
- 7
Career progress
She climbed the ranks quickly after joining the company.
- Phraseclimb the ranks
move to a higher position at work or in an organization
- 8
Music charts
The band's new single climbed to number one in just two weeks.
- Patternclimb to + chart position
move up in a chart or ranking
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- climbnounverb
Forms
- climbing-ing formverbnoun
- climbedpast tenseverbnoun
- climbspluralnounverb