What does mountainously mean?
Mountainously is an adverb used to describe something that is extremely steep or rugged. It is often used in descriptive or poetic contexts to emphasize the steepness or ruggedness of a terrain. The word is derived from the noun 'mountain', and its meaning is closely related to that of 'mountainous'. In terms of usage, mountainously is often used in formal or informal writing to add emphasis to a description of a terrain. It can be used to describe a slope, surface, or landscape that is steep or rugged, and is often used in combination with other adverbs to create a vivid and descriptive picture. Overall, mountainously is a useful word for adding depth and nuance to descriptions of terrain, and is particularly well-suited to use in writing about geography, geology, or outdoor activities.
adverbUsed to describe something that is extremely steep or rugged, often in a way that is impressive or intimidating.
- Used to describe a steep or rugged slope or surface.
"The mountainously inclined slope made it difficult to climb."
"The trail wound its way up the mountainously inclined slope."
"The landscape was characterized by mountainously rugged hills."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mountainously
The word 'mountainously' is derived from the noun 'mountain', which is thought to have originated from the Old French word 'montagne', meaning 'mountain'. The suffix '-ly' was added to create the adverb 'mountainously', which is used to describe something that is steep or rugged.
How mountainously is actually used
Formal or informal, this word is often used in descriptive or poetic contexts to emphasize the steepness or ruggedness of a terrain.