undulating hills

USAGE SUMMARY

'undulating hills' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a landscape with hills that roll and wave in the distance. For example, 'As I drove through the countryside, I could see undulating hills against the horizon.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dark brown, undulating hills served as a backdrop.

The New York Times

The entire flight, they stared out the window at the mist and undulating hills.

The New York Times

In the fading light, the gently undulating hills recede, ridge after ridge to a smoky vanishing point.

Independent

We could see across the expanse of both lands, undulating hills stretching to the horizon on either side.

The New York Times - Travel

Beyond the wall is another landscape of undulating hills, with a writhing highway whose multiple exits go nowhere.

The Guardian - Arts

Undulating hills of russet grass descend to a dazzling white beach, with a fringing reef visible beneath the limpid water.

The Guardian - Travel

The park, established in 1981 and doubled in area in 1990, covers some 1,700 square miles (4,400 square km) of alpine slopes, undulating hills, and coastline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the ribbon of undulating hills and picnic areas that will eventually connect the length of the park will leave plenty of space to retreat from the joggers.

The New York Times - Arts

Without one of cycling's best overall riders, the peloton pushed to the finish in this town surrounded by undulating hills and vineyards abutting the Dolomites.

The New York Times - Sports

Scattered throughout are cutaways of undulating hills and stoic ruminants filming exterior shots of sheep against a backdrop of yawning bees.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But unlike many other bedroom communities, Watchung offers large properties, undulating hills, narrow winding roads, abundant wildlife and two lakes: Lake Watchung and Best Lake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undulating hills" to vividly describe landscapes with a gentle, rolling character. This phrase works well in travel writing, landscape descriptions, and environmental reports.

Common error

Avoid using "undulating" interchangeably with adjectives that describe steep or rugged terrain. "Undulating" specifically refers to a gentle, wave-like pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undulating hills" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies an implied subject (e.g., 'the landscape') to provide a specific visual characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undulating hills" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to depict landscapes characterized by gentle, rolling hills. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a descriptive noun phrase, commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While synonyms like "rolling hills" exist, "undulating hills" offers a slightly more sophisticated and evocative description. When writing, ensure to use "undulating hills" to describe gentle, wave-like terrains accurately, and avoid confusing it with adjectives that denote steeper landscapes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rolling hills

Replaces "undulating" with "rolling", a more common synonym, resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

wavy hills

Uses "wavy" as a synonym for "undulating", emphasizing the wave-like appearance of the hills.

rippling hills

Employs "rippling" to convey the visual effect of the hills resembling small waves.

billowing hills

Draws a comparison to billowing sails, suggesting a gentle, rounded shape.

gently sloping hills

Substitutes "undulating" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the gradual incline of the hills.

sweeping hills

Uses "sweeping" to describe the broad, continuous curves of the hills.

rolling landscape

Shifts the focus from the hills themselves to the overall landscape, implying the presence of undulating terrain.

hilly terrain

A broader term indicating the presence of hills without necessarily implying their smooth, wave-like form.

gentle hills

Focuses on the mildness of the slopes rather than their undulating nature.

contours of the hills

Highlights the shape and outline of the hills, suggesting their varying elevations.

FAQs

How can I use "undulating hills" in a sentence?

You can use "undulating hills" to describe a landscape feature. For example, "The vineyard was nestled among "undulating hills" covered in grapevines."

What are some synonyms for "undulating hills"?

Alternatives to "undulating hills" include "rolling hills", "gently sloping hills", or "wavy hills".

Is it appropriate to use "undulating hills" in formal writing?

Yes, "undulating hills" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing landscapes in a detailed and evocative manner. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific reports.

What is the difference between "undulating hills" and "mountainous terrain"?

"Undulating hills" describes a gentle, rolling landscape, while "mountainous terrain" refers to landscapes characterized by steep, rugged mountains. The former suggests a more peaceful and less dramatic environment.