climbing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'climbing' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe the physical act of ascending or scaling a steep surface, such as a mountain or rock face. Example: "Climbing Mount Everest has always been a dream of mine, but the challenging terrain and high altitude make it a difficult feat to accomplish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Climbing out to one of the lookout points for a surf check we look through a small gap in the beachside trees to a view revealing the dark bumps of the swell.

The Guardian - Travel

One section on Dawn Wall was protected entirely by the hooks mentioned above, which are really designed for only body weight in aid climbing – not long falls.

The Guardian

Yosemite duo complete world's toughest climb Climbing El Capitan – in pictures.

The Guardian

The term "big wall" is generally used by climbers to describe some of the world's longest climbs – usually predominantly on rock involving up to 30 rope lengths, and on which most climbers would expect to spend days climbing.

The Guardian

01455 292888, thedandelionhideaway.co.uk If climbing and abseiling on normal mountains is too tame, how about doing both underground in a disused mine?

The Guardian - Travel

A male hen harrier's silhouette gliding low over the moorland is an eerie sight greatly prized by bird lovers, but the bird is best known for its aerobatic displays of climbing, twisting and rolling, known as sky dancing.

The Guardian

Corruption and political upheaval heavily impacts education, making it responsible for numerous social and economic issues, which, in turn, prevents Honduras from climbing the statistical ladder.

The Guardian

Instead of climbing back to the top, they still trail Real Madrid, having played a game more.

The Guardian - Sport

I have suits for work, shorts for running, boots for climbing mountains, tracksuit bottoms for vegetating, flip-flops for the beach, party shirts for partying and reassuring knitwear for meeting great aunts.

The Guardian

You brought his life to an end without any motive in circumstances which you know amounted to murder…" Since his mother died, Ben Gunn had been forever escaping the rules and authority that had closed in on him, climbing out of windows, scarpering down driveways.

The Guardian

One man drew a storm of laughter when, after climbing on to an advertising hoarding to get a better view, he electrocuted himself on an overhead power line.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the sport, it is often used as a stand-alone noun (gerund), whereas in action descriptions, it functions as a present participle.

Common error

Since "climbing" inherently implies upward movement, avoid adding "up" (e.g., "climbing up the mountain") unless you need to contrast it with descending or to emphasize the effort, as it can often be redundant in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "climbing" functions as a gerund (noun form of a verb) when referring to the activity or sport and as a present participle when describing an ongoing action. Ludwig confirms its validity as both a descriptor of physical exertion and a metaphorical tool for progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sport & Outdoors

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academic

2%

Legal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "climbing" is a highly versatile and essential word in the English language. According to Ludwig AI, it is completely correct and widely utilized across various domains. It serves as the standard term for physical ascent and the sport of scaling surfaces. Beyond physical movement, it is a powerful metaphor for advancement, appearing frequently in business contexts regarding "climbing the ladder" or in economics for "climbing prices". Its frequency in reputable news sources like The Guardian underscores its reliability. Writers should feel confident using it, though more specific terms like ""ascending"" or "scaling" can be used to add nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascending

provides a more formal and clinical tone for upward movement

scaling

emphasizes the difficulty or the steepness of the surface being climbed

rock climbing

specifies the technical sport performed on rock faces or walls

mountaineering

refers specifically to the professional or serious sport of climbing mountains

clambering

suggests a more awkward or hurried movement using both hands and feet

scrambling

indicates movement over rough terrain that may require hand assistance but is less vertical

mounting

often used for getting onto a horse, a bike, or a platform

rising

focuses on the upward direction of movement without implying physical effort

soaring

describes a rapid or majestic upward movement, often used for birds or prices

hiking

describes walking in nature, which may include upward inclines but is less vertical

FAQs

How do I use "climbing" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a sport like in "I love "rock climbing"" or as a verb for action such as "The hiker was "ascending" the trail."

What is the difference between "climbing" and "scaling"?

While "climbing" is general, "scaling" usually implies a very steep or vertical ascent that requires significant skill or equipment.

Can "climbing" be used for prices or numbers?

Yes, it is common to say "inflation is "rising"" or "the numbers are "soaring"", though "climbing" is also frequently used to show a steady increase.

What can I say instead of "climbing" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, you might consider using ""ascending"" or "mounting" depending on the specific context of the movement.