climber

American  

[klahy-mer] / ˈklaɪ mər /

noun

1. a person or thing that climbs.

2. a climbing plant.

3. social climber.

4. a device to assist in climbing, as a climbing iron.

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climber British  

/ ˈklaɪmə /

noun

1. a person or thing that climbs

2. a plant that lacks rigidity and grows upwards by twining, scrambling, or clinging with tendrils and suckers

3. short for social climber

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Etymology

Origin of climber

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; climb, -er ¹

Explanation

A climber is a person who hikes up steep, rocky mountains and hills. If you want to be a mountain climber, you should start with small ones before tackling Mount Everest. Climbers pull themselves up the steep, craggy sides of mountains or practice on rock walls at the gym. A person who aspires to belong to a fancier social group is another kind of climber: "He's hanging out with the rich kids again — I didn't realize he was such a climber." When you're talking about plants, a climber is anything vine-like that grows up structures: "That rose is a climber. It'll cover your fence by the end of the summer."

Example Sentences

One Austrian climber told us that in harsh conditions, climbing Grossglockner "can feel like fighting to survive".

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

An Austrian climber has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria's highest mountain last year.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Netflix recently livestreamed “Skyscraper Live,” in which climber Alex Honnold scaled Taipei 101, and has plans to stream BTS’ comeback concert in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

The French CAC 40 is one climber, gaining 0.5% as key luxury stocks rally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

But he was a climber, not a jumper, and I knew he could only leap from so high before his gravity-sensitive superpowers failed him.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Related Words

• mountaineer
• rock climber