sierra

sierra — noun

1. A long chain of steep, rocky mountains with sharp peaks and a jagged outline, of

1.nounB2
Definition

A long chain of steep, rocky mountains with sharp peaks and a jagged outline, often found in regions with a history of Spanish settlement or influence.

Example

The hikers spent a week crossing the rugged sierra of northern Mexico.

From the plane, Andrés could see the jagged sierra stretching below the clouds.

modifier: jagged sierra

Common collocations
  • rugged sierra
  • jagged sierra
  • high sierra
  • cross the sierra
  • in the sierra
  • through the sierra
Synonyms
  • mountain range

    broader term; does not imply jagged or saw-like peaks

  • range

    shorter, more general; used for any group of mountains

  • highlands

    focuses on elevation rather than shape of the peaks

Antonyms
  • valley

    low-lying land between mountains or hills

  • plain

    flat, level land without significant elevation

Grammar Patterns

the + sierra

the + sierra + of + place

Usage Note

Often capitalized when used as part of a proper place name, such as the Sierra Nevada or Sierra Madre. As a common noun, it typically appears with the definite article: 'the sierra'.

2. An edible saltwater fish belonging to the same family as the mackerel, with a lo

2.nounC1
Definition

An edible saltwater fish belonging to the same family as the mackerel, with a long body and dark stripes, found off the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America.

Example

The fishermen caught several sierra near the coast of Baja California last week.

plural: several sierra (same as singular form)

Folake grilled the fresh sierra with lemon and herbs for dinner.

Common collocations
  • fresh sierra
  • grilled sierra
  • catch sierra
  • sierra fish
  • sierra fillet
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

catch + sierra

grill + sierra

sierra + singular/plural verb

Usage Note

The plural form is usually the same as the singular: 'three sierra' rather than 'three sierras'. When referring to the fish as food, it is treated as an uncountable noun: 'We had sierra for dinner.'

Common Mistakes

I caught three sierras.
I caught three sierra.
The plural of 'sierra' is usually the same as the singular form.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sierra, mountain range, cordillera, and ridge all describe groups or lines of mountains, but differ in scale, shape, and usage. Sierra specifically implies jagged, saw-like peaks and carries a cultural connection to regions with Spanish influence. Mountain range is the most general and neutral term — a traveller could use it for the Rockies, the Alps, or the Himalayas. Cordillera is a more technical, large-scale term for a system of parallel mountain ranges, such as the American Cordillera that runs from Alaska to Chile. Ridge is narrower, referring to a single long crest rather than a chain of peaks. 'The hikers crossed the sierra into the next valley' uses the precise word for jagged terrain, while 'the mountain range stretched across the horizon' works in any context.

sierra ↗mountain rangecordilleraridge ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

SpanishLatinEnglish

Sierra comes from Spanish, where it originally meant 'saw' — the cutting tool with sharp teeth on its edge. Spanish explorers in the 16th century began using the word to describe mountain ranges whose jagged peaks reminded them of a saw's teeth. The fish sense developed later, also named for its saw-like dorsal fin.