a precipitous hill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a precipitous hill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hill that is very steep or has a sharp incline, often implying difficulty in climbing or descending. Example: "The hikers struggled to reach the top of the precipitous hill, their legs burning with each step."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We head for a distant corner of the park and Nordic walk up and down a precipitous hill that I would never have otherwise attempted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the Third Crusade (1189 92) the site chosen for a new castle, where such choice was possible, was the summit of a precipitous hill, the citadel being backed against the cliff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And the easiest way to visit Anse des Pitons, in front of the Jalousie Plantation resort, is to have lunch at the resort's midpriced Bayside Bar and Grill so you can catch a free hotel shuttle down the precipitous hill.

The New York Times - Travel

Baedeker offered a running list of the physical markers that zipped past the train's broad windows: Dumbarton Castle, "strikingly situated on a precipitous rocky hill"; Craigendoran Pier, "an important starting point for steamers"; Helensburgh, "a favourite watering-place with extensive steamboat connections"; and Shandon, "with a large hydropathic establishment".

The New York Times - Travel

Go west and, if you're game to swing up Porlock's precipitous hill, you'll be rewarded with moorland, sea views, and the pretty twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.

Independent

On another spur of the same Lenyadri hill, there are four more caves (not numbered) that face south-south west and are cut into precipitous hill slopes.

Wikipedia

San Francisco's world-famous cable cars run 365 days a year over precipitous hills.

Huffington Post

The first day's walking, through thickly wooded and wonderfully unfarmed, precipitous hills, was a very roundabout route up to the village of Maçanets de Cabrenys (only 3km as the crow flies), a well-appointed bolthole for hot Catalans in the summer, but seemingly deserted otherwise.

Independent

San Francisco is a strikingly beautiful city, famous for its precipitous hills, the Golden Gate bridge and the mists that roll in to keep it, as the saying goes, air-conditioned by God.

The Economist

Still, a drive through a crime-plagued community lodged into one of Tegucigalpa's precipitous hills illustrates the inherent challenges of policing it.

Vice

I knew that if I laughed, they could get the thin end of the wedge in, and I would find myself flying to Seattle to help them shift out of first gear when faced with one of those precipitous hills.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a precipitous hill" to vividly describe a hill with a very steep slope, often suggesting a challenging or dangerous climb.

Common error

Avoid using "precipitous" too frequently in your writing. While it's a strong descriptor, overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic or repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "steep", "sheer", or "abrupt" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a precipitous hill" functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "precipitous" modifies the noun "hill". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a precipitous hill" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a very steep hill. Ludwig AI confirms that it evokes a vivid image of a sharp incline. While relatively rare, the phrase is primarily found in news, encyclopedias and wiki contexts. If you need a synonym, you can use phrases like "a steep incline" or "a sharp slope". Remember to avoid overuse to keep your writing varied and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steep incline

Replaces "hill" with "incline" and "precipitous" with "steep", focusing on the angle of the slope.

a sharp slope

Emphasizes the abruptness of the hill's ascent or descent.

a very steep hill

Adds the adverb "very" to intensify the steepness of the hill.

a steep gradient

Uses "gradient" to refer to the rate of inclination.

a sharp rise

Focuses on the upward aspect of the hill.

a sheer cliff

More dramatic, implying a vertical or near-vertical drop, not just a steep slope.

a daunting ascent

Highlights the challenging nature of climbing the hill.

a hazardous slope

Indicates the potential danger associated with the hill due to its steepness.

a challenging climb

Emphasizes the difficulty involved in ascending the hill.

a rugged hillside

Describes the hill as rough and uneven due to its slope.

FAQs

How can I use "a precipitous hill" in a sentence?

You can use "a precipitous hill" to describe a very steep hill. For example, "The hikers struggled to climb "a precipitous hill"."

What are some synonyms for "a precipitous hill"?

Alternatives to "a precipitous hill" include "a steep incline", "a sharp slope", or "a very steep hill".

What does "precipitous" mean in the context of "a precipitous hill"?

In the phrase "a precipitous hill", "precipitous" means very steep, almost vertical. It suggests that the hill has a sharp drop or ascent.

Is it better to say "a steep hill" or "a precipitous hill"?

Both "a steep hill" and "a precipitous hill" are correct, but "precipitous" implies a greater degree of steepness and a more sudden change in elevation than just "steep".