climb
gb/klˈaɪm/ us/klˈaɪm/
A2
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Go upward using hands and feet
To go up something using your hands and feet.
Usage pattern:
to climb [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'climb' with 'go up'; 'climb' usually implies effort and often requires hands and feet.
Synonyms
scale (More formal; often used for large or difficult climbs.)
|
ascend (More formal and general; can refer to going up without physical climbing.)
Antonyms
descend (Means to go down, the opposite direction of climbing.)
Collocations
climb a mountain
|climb a ladder
|climb the stairs
|climb a tree
Themes
daily life
|travel
|sports
Examples
- She climbed the ladder to fix the roof.
- They climbed the mountain in three days.
- He climbed the stairs quickly to catch the phone.
- The children climbed the tree to get the kite.
Learner examples
- I can climb a tree.
- He climbed the stairs slowly.
- We climb the hill every morning.
- She climbs a ladder to paint the wall.
Verb
B1
action
2
Increase in amount or level
To become higher in number, price, or level.
Usage pattern:
[something] climbs
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'climb' for sudden changes; it usually suggests a steady or gradual rise.
Synonyms
rise (General term for going up; does not imply physical movement.)
|
increase (Neutral and common; refers to becoming more in amount or number.)
Antonyms
fall (Means to go down in amount or level.)
|
decrease (Means to become less in amount or number.)
Collocations
prices climb
|temperatures climb
|sales climb
|costs climb
Themes
business
|science
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Prices have climbed steadily this year.
- Temperatures will climb into the 30s tomorrow.
- Her stress levels climbed as the deadline approached.
- Unemployment figures have climbed in recent months.
Learner examples
- The price of food is climbing.
- The temperature climbs in summer.
- My score climbs every week.
- Sales climb when there is a holiday.
Verb
B2
action
3
Progress to higher position/status
To get a better job or higher position in work or society.
Usage pattern:
to climb [the ranks/ladder]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this sense literally when it is figurative about status.
Synonyms
advance (General term for moving forward in career or status.)
|
progress (Broad term for improvement or moving forward.)
Antonyms
fall back (To lose status or position.)
|
demote (To be moved to a lower position.)
Collocations
climb the career ladder
|climb the ranks
Themes
business
|career
|work
Examples
- She climbed the corporate ladder quickly.
- He hopes to climb the ranks in the army.
- They climbed from junior positions to management within five years.
Learner examples
- He wants to climb the career ladder.
- She climbed from worker to manager.
- I will climb the ranks in my company.
Noun
A2
event
4
An act of going upward with effort
The act of going up something using your body and effort.
Synonyms
ascent (More formal; often used for mountain climbing.)
Antonyms
descent (An act of going downward.)
Collocations
a steep climb
|a long climb
|make a climb
Themes
sports
|travel
Examples
- The climb to the summit took four hours.
- It was a tough climb up the cliff face.
- We enjoyed the climb despite the heat.
Learner examples
- The climb was hard.
- It is a short climb to the top.
- We started the climb early.
Grammar
Dictionary form
climb
IPA
GB/klˈaɪm/
US/klˈaɪm/
Syllables & stress
climb (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (climb)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: climb
- Plural: climbs
Verb
- Base: climb
- 3rd Person Singular: climbs
- Present Participle: climbing
- Past: climbed
Word family
Forms
climbs
noun
climbing
verb
climbed
verb
Core family
climber
noun B1
Related words
climbable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unclimbable
adjective
Expressions
climb aboard
1/klˈaɪm əbˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
Enter vehicle by moving upward into it
To get onto a bus, train, plane, or ship by stepping or moving upward into it.
Examples
- Passengers climbed aboard the train quickly.
- We climbed aboard the boat for our trip.
climb down
1/klˈaɪm dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
Go down from higher place
To go down from a higher place using your hands and feet.
Examples
- He climbed down from the roof after fixing it.
- She carefully climbed down the ladder.
climb into bed
1/klˈaɪm ˈɪntu bˈɛd/
fixed phrase
Get into bed by moving up/over edge
To get into bed, often with some effort or movement over its side.
Examples
- She climbed into bed and turned off the light.
- After a long day, he climbed into bed immediately.
climb over [something]
1/klˈaɪm ˈoʊvɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Go over obstacle with effort
To go over something by moving upward and then downward using your body.
Examples
- They climbed over the fence to get the ball.
- We had to climb over rocks to reach the cave.