mountaintop
gb/mˈaʊntəntˌɑp/ us/mˈaʊntəntˌɑp/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
the top of a mountain
the very top of a mountain
Usage pattern:
(on/at/near) the mountaintop; to the mountaintop
Common mistake:
Often written as two words (“mountain top”). Both are used, but “mountaintop” is very common as one word, especially in headlines and set phrases.
Synonyms
summit (More formal and common in hiking and geography.)
|
peak (Can refer to the top point or the whole high mountain.)
Antonyms
base (The lowest part of the mountain.)
|
foothills (Lower hills at the base of a mountain range.)
Collocations
reach the mountaintop
|stand on the mountaintop
|climb to the mountaintop
|hike to the mountaintop
|near the mountaintop
|snow-covered mountaintop
|windswept mountaintop
|rocky mountaintop
|the mountaintop view
|a mountaintop trail
Themes
nature
|geography
|outdoors
|travel
Examples
- We reached the mountaintop just before sunset.
- From the mountaintop, you can see the entire valley.
- A strong wind hit us as we stepped onto the mountaintop.
Learner examples
- We stood on the mountaintop.
- The air is cold on the mountaintop.
Noun
B2
abstract
2
the highest level of success
the best or most successful point
Usage pattern:
a mountaintop moment; reach the mountaintop; on the mountaintop
Common mistake:
In this meaning, “mountaintop” is metaphorical; it does not refer to a real mountain.
Synonyms
pinnacle (Emphasizes being at the very top level.)
|
zenith (More formal; often used for a peak period or point in time.)
Antonyms
low point (A difficult or unsuccessful time.)
|
bottom (The lowest level, often in a negative situation.)
Collocations
reach the mountaintop
|a mountaintop moment
|a mountaintop victory
|mountaintop success
|on the mountaintop
|at the mountaintop of [a career/industry]
|a mountaintop achievement
|a mountaintop feeling
Themes
emotions
|achievement
|personal_development
Examples
- Winning the championship was a mountaintop moment for the team.
- After years of training, she finally felt she’d reached the mountaintop in her career.
- The film shows the mountaintop highs and the crushing lows of fame.
Learner examples
- Getting the job felt like a mountaintop moment.
- That award was his mountaintop success.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mountaintop
IPA
GB/mˈaʊntəntˌɑp/
US/mˈaʊntəntˌɑp/
Syllables & stress
moun - tain - top (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (moun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mountaintop
- Plural: mountaintops
Word family
Expressions
mountaintop experience
1/mˈaʊntəntˌɑp ɪkspˈɪɹiəns/
fixed phrase
powerful uplifting life moment
a very strong, inspiring experience
Examples
- For him, performing on that stage was a mountaintop experience.
- Some people describe meditation retreats as mountaintop experiences.
- The book promises a mountaintop experience, but the practice takes time.
shout it from the mountaintops
1/ʃˈaʊt ˈɪt fɹˈʌm ðə mˈaʊntəntˌɑps/
idiom
announce something very publicly
to tell everyone about something
Examples
- She was so proud she wanted to shout it from the mountaintops.
- If you get engaged, you can shout it from the mountaintops when you’re ready.
- They shouted their good news from the mountaintops online.