mountainous

[moun-tn-uhs]

adjective

1. abounding in mountains.

   a mountainous wilderness.

2. of the nature of a mountain.

3. resembling a mountain or mountains, as being very large and high.

   mountainous waves.

mountainous

/ ˈmaʊntɪnəs /

adjective

1. of or relating to mountains

   a mountainous region

2. like a mountain, esp in size or impressiveness

Other Word Forms

• mountainously adverb
• mountainousness noun
• nonmountainous adjective
• nonmountainously adverb
• semimountainous adjective
• semimountainously adverb
• unmountainous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mountainous¹

First recorded in 1400–50, mountainous is from the late Middle English word mounteynous. See mountain, -ous

Example Sentences

Experts say this is increasingly happening in the mountainous regions where massive moisture-laden clouds hit the hills, pouring huge amounts of rain very quickly in a small area - a phenomenon that is known as cloudburst.

From BBC

Detailing the outstanding universal value of the site, Unesco notes how "the rugged mountainous landscape around... forms a perfect backdrop for the Monastery".

From BBC

The region's rough and mountainous terrain continues to hamper rescue and disaster relief operations, the government said.

From BBC

Authorities searched by air for the second day on Tuesday as roads blocked with debris and the mountainous terrain in the affected areas made land travel difficult.

From BBC

When day broke, Matiullah - who is a freelance journalist and human rights activist - drove from his home to try to reach the remote mountainous area at the epicentre of the quake.

From BBC

Related Words

• highland