climb
climb — verb
1. to move upward through air or along a surface toward a higher point, often witho
to move upward through air or along a surface toward a higher point, often without the direct use of hands
The hot air balloon climbed slowly above the village.
climb + adverb: slow upward movement
A thin trail of smoke climbed from the chimney into the morning sky.
The hiking trail climbs steeply for the first two kilometres.
subject: inanimate thing (trail/road)
Aiko watched the kite climb higher as the wind grew stronger.
- climb steeply
- climb slowly
- climb higher
- climb above
- descend
to move downward
Grammar Patterns
climb + adverb/preposition (upward direction)
Common Mistakes
2. to move upward over a steep surface such as a tree, rock face, or set of stairs
to move upward over a steep surface such as a tree, rock face, or set of stairs by pulling with your arms and pushing with your legs
Nadia climbed the old oak tree to reach the rope swing hanging from a branch.
transitive: climb + noun (tree)
Yusuf climbed over the garden wall after he dropped his keys on the other side.
climb + over: crossing an obstacle
The children climbed the stairs two at a time on their way up to bed.
Beatriz has been climbing since she was seven and now competes in national tournaments.
sport sense: climbing as a hobby
- climb a tree
- climb a mountain
- climb the stairs
- climb a ladder
- climb a wall
- climb a rope
- climb rocks
- climb over
- climb onto
- descend
to go down from something
Grammar Patterns
climb + noun phrase (tree/wall/mountain)
climb + adverb/preposition (up/over/onto)
Usage Note
The object of this sense is always a physical thing you go up using effort: stairs, a hill, a ladder, a tree, a mountain. In sports contexts, 'climb' alone can mean the sport of rock climbing.
Common Mistakes
3. to become greater in amount, value, or level, especially in a gradual way over t
to become greater in amount, value, or level, especially in a gradual way over time
The company's profits climbed by fifteen percent during the last quarter.
climb + by + percentage
Temperatures in Tokyo climbed above forty degrees for three days in a row.
climb + above + number
As demand for electric cars grew, the price of lithium climbed steadily.
Unemployment climbed to six percent after the factory closed down.
climb + to + number/level
- climb steadily
- climb sharply
- climb gradually
- prices climb
- temperatures climb
- costs climb
- climb to
- climb by
- climb above
Grammar Patterns
climb + adverb (steadily/sharply/gradually)
climb + preposition + noun (to/by)
Usage Note
Used for gradual upward movement in numbers, prices, rates, or temperatures. For sudden or large increases, use 'soar', 'surge', or 'jump'.
Common Mistakes
4. to reach a more important or powerful position in a profession, organisation, or
to reach a more important or powerful position in a profession, organisation, or society
Hana climbed from receptionist to regional manager in just seven years.
climb + from + to: career trajectory
Ravi hoped to climb the corporate ladder by taking on difficult projects.
idiom: climb the corporate ladder
Many young lawyers dream of climbing to a partner position at a top firm.
Noa climbed to the top of her field through years of careful research.
climb to the top of [field/profession]
- climb the corporate ladder
- climb the ranks
- climb to power
- climb to the top
- climb from
- climb through
- decline
to move to a lower position or status
Grammar Patterns
climb + preposition + noun (to/into/up)
climb + adverb (higher)
Usage Note
Often used with 'the corporate ladder' or 'the ranks'. The upward direction is metaphorical — the person's actual body is not moving.
Common Mistakes
5. to get into, out of, or through a narrow or awkward space by using your hands, a
to get into, out of, or through a narrow or awkward space by using your hands, arms, and legs with some effort
Wen climbed out of the broken window after the front door jammed shut.
climb + out of: escaping a space
Tomás climbed through the narrow gap in the fence to reach the garden.
climb + through: passing a tight opening
The firefighter climbed into the smashed car to help the injured driver.
The cat climbed onto the roof of the shed and refused to come back down.
climb + onto: reaching a surface
- climb into
- climb out of
- climb through
- climb over
- climb onto
- climb back
Grammar Patterns
climb + into/out of/through/over + noun phrase
Usage Note
Always followed by an adverb or preposition showing direction (into, out of, through, over, onto). This sense contrasts with sense 2 because here the movement may be horizontal or even downward through a tight space.
Common Mistakes
6. to grow upward while attaching to a surface or support, as creeping plants and v
to grow upward while attaching to a surface or support, as creeping plants and vines do
The ivy climbed all the way up the side of the old stone cottage.
plant subject + climb + up
Climbing roses climbed over the garden wall and covered it in pink flowers.
The wisteria vine climbed along the wooden beams of the veranda.
climb + along: horizontal growth on a surface
Morning glory plants climbed up the trellis and created a shady spot on the patio.
- climb up
- climb over
- climb along
- ivy climbs
- roses climb
- vine climbs
- climb a wall
- climb a trellis
Grammar Patterns
climb + adverb/preposition (up/over/along)
Usage Note
Used only for plants that naturally grow upward by clinging to or wrapping around something. Common subjects: ivy, roses, vines, wisteria, morning glory, clematis.
Common Mistakes
7. to slope or slant upward from a lower point to a higher point, describing the sh
to slope or slant upward from a lower point to a higher point, describing the shape of land or a surface
The road climbs gently from the valley floor up to the mountain pass.
road/path + climb + adverb
The garden path climbs gradually toward the back of the property through tall grass.
The trail climbs steeply for about a mile before it reaches the ridge.
subject: trail/path — terrain description
The driveway climbs at a sharp angle from the main road up to the garage.
- climb gently
- climb steeply
- climb gradually
- the road climbs
- the path climbs
- the trail climbs
- rise
more general; can describe any upward direction
- slope upward
more technical; describes gradient specifically
Grammar Patterns
climb + adverb (gently/steeply)
subject: road/path/trail + climb
Usage Note
The subject is a path, road, trail, or section of land — not a person or animal. This sense simply describes the gradient.
climb down
phrasal verbto admit that you were wrong or to change your position on an issue, especially after taking a strong stance
The minister was forced to climb down after the public strongly opposed the new policy.
Neither side was willing to climb down during the contract negotiations.
climb the ladder
idiomto steadily advance to higher and more powerful positions within a profession or society
Priya climbed the ladder from intern to vice-president in under a decade.
Many people move to the city hoping to climb the social ladder and build a better life.
climb the walls
idiomto become extremely anxious, bored, or frustrated, especially when confined or unable to act
After three days stuck at home with the flu, Theo was climbing the walls with boredom.
The children were climbing the walls during the long car ride to their grandmother's house.
To start doing something that many people are doing because it is popular and you want to be part of it.
After the movie's success, many actors jumped on the superhero bandwagon.
Mia climbed on the bandwagon and started a podcast like her friends.
climb — noun
1. an act or journey of moving upward to a higher place, especially one that requir
an act or journey of moving upward to a higher place, especially one that requires physical effort
The climb up the hill took the Okonkwo family forty minutes with their bags.
the climb + up + noun phrase
Amara felt proud after completing her first climb to the top of a mountain.
The long climb left the hikers exhausted but happy when they reached the summit.
The hikers' climb through the forest was slow because the ground was wet and slippery.
the climb + through: specifying the route
- long climb
- steep climb
- difficult climb
- the climb up
- the climb to the top
- make the climb
- begin the climb
- descent
the act of going down
Grammar Patterns
a/the climb + preposition + noun (of/up/to)
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives like 'long', 'steep', 'difficult', 'hard', 'easy'. The object of the climb follows 'of' or 'up': 'the climb of the mountain', 'the climb up the hill'.
2. a steep surface, route, or section of ground that is suitable for being climbed,
a steep surface, route, or section of ground that is suitable for being climbed, often in a sporting or hiking context
The cliff at the forest edge is a popular climb for experienced mountaineers.
popular climb: a place people go to climb
This trail section is a steep climb that requires good boots and careful footing.
The guidebook describes five new climbs in the national park that opened this season.
new climbs: newly established climbing routes
The final climb before the campsite is a steep section of loose rocks.
- steep climb
- difficult climb
- popular climb
- new climb
- dangerous climb
- easy climb
Grammar Patterns
a + adjective + climb
Usage Note
In rock climbing, 'a climb' means a specific route up a rock face, graded by difficulty. In hiking, it means a steep section of a trail.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/2
These words all describe moving upward, but they differ in formality, effort, and the kind of surface involved. 'Climb' (A2) is the everyday word for using hands and feet to go up a tree, stairs, or mountain — it is neutral and covers most situations. 'Scale' suggests a more impressive or difficult ascent, often of a high vertical surface such as a cliff or castle wall, and has a slightly literary or dramatic tone. 'Ascend' is formal and does not imply the use of hands or significant effort — you can ascend a staircase, a throne, or a mountain by cable car. 'Mount' is mostly used for getting onto something elevated such as a horse, bicycle, or platform, and has a brisk, deliberate feel. 'Shin up' is informal British English, used specifically for climbing a rope, drainpipe, or pole by gripping with hands and legs. For everyday use, choose 'climb'; for a story about a heroic or dangerous ascent, choose 'scale'; for a formal report, choose 'ascend'.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'climb' comes from Old English 'climban', which meant 'to rise, to go upward by using hands and feet'. This word goes back to Proto-Germanic '*klimbaną', related to words in other Germanic languages such as Old Norse 'klífa' (to climb) and Dutch 'klimmen'. The original sense focused on physical upward movement. By the 1500s and 1600s, English speakers began using 'climb' metaphorically for prices, social status, and careers — describing a gradual upward path in those areas too.