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• alpine
  alpine

  adjective

  of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.
• Alpine
  Alpine

  adjective

  of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants

alpine

American  

[al-pahyn, -pin] / ˈæl paɪn, -pɪn /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.

2. very high; elevated.

3. Alpine, of, pertaining to, on, or part of the Alps.

4. Botany. growing on mountains above the limit of tree growth.

   alpine plants.

5. Often Alpine of or relating to downhill skiing or a competitive downhill skiing event.

6. Anthropology. Alpine, (no longer in technical use) having the features characteristic of an Alpine.

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noun

• alpines
  plural

1. Anthropology. Alpine, (no longer in technical use) a member of a Caucasoid people found in central Europe and characterized by heavy body build, medium complexion, and straight to wavy hair.

Alpine ¹ British  

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants

2. geology

   1. of or relating to an episode of mountain building in the Tertiary period during which the Alps were formed

   2. of or relating to a high mountainous environment heavily modified by glacial erosion

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alpine ² British  

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to high mountains

2. (of plants) growing on mountains, esp above the limit for tree growth

3. connected with or used in mountaineering in medium-sized glaciated mountain areas such as the Alps

4. skiing of or relating to racing events on steep prepared slopes, such as the slalom and downhill Compare nordic

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noun

1. a plant that is native or suited to alpine conditions

alpine Scientific  

/ ăl′pīn′ /

1. Resembling or characteristic of the European Alps or any other high mountain system, especially one that has been shaped by intense glacial erosion.

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Usage

What is Alpine skiing? Alpine is a classification in the sport of skiing that specifically refers to forms of what’s sometimes also called downhill skiing—events that take place on a downhill course with the objective of crossing the finish line in the shortest possible amount of time. The terms Alpine and Alpine skiing are used in contrast with Nordic and Nordic skiing, which includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Both alpine and nordic are sometimes left uncapitalized. Alpine events include the slalom, the giant slalom, the super giant slalom (popularly called Super G)—all of which involve a course marked by poles or gates—as well as the event straightforwardly known as downhill, which takes place on a relatively straight downhill course (without gates). All of these are events in the Winter Olympics, grouped under the category officially called Alpine Skiing. There are also Alpine skiing events in the Paralympic Winter Games. The skis used in Alpine skiing differ from those used in Nordic skiing in shape, size, and structure. Example: Of all the Alpine events at the Winter Olympics, my favorite is giant slalom.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• alpinely
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• alpines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of alpine

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Alpīnus, equivalent to Alp(ēs) (plural) “the Alps” + -īnus adjective suffix; see -ine ¹

Explanation

Use the word alpine to describe something that reminds you of high mountains. You could describe the distant clouds in the sky over the plains as "vaguely alpine." A plant or animal that lives in the mountains is alpine, and your summer trip hiking in the Rocky Mountains is also alpine. The kind of skiing that requires a mountain to race down is alpine skiing, and moss that grows at very high altitudes is alpine moss. In fact, if something has to do with tall mountains, it's alpine. The word means "of the Alps," and if Alpine is capitalized, it is referring specifically to the Alps.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alpine Alpine alpines

Currently, the birds are found in alpine meadows, located high in the mountains above the forests, which form some of the Himalayas' most important seasonal grazing and biodiversity-rich habitats.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Shock and grief have hit members of the alpine climbing community with the President of Nepal's National Mountain Guide Association Tul Singh Gurung saying they had "lost a generation of accomplished mountaineers".

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

An estimated 5,000 plant species grow across Taiwan, occupying environments that extend from humid tropical rainforests near sea level to cold alpine tundra at the highest elevations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Trinity Alps Wilderness, about three hours north of Sacramento, offers hiking trails, waterfalls, alpine lakes and smaller crowds than at popular national parks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

But for a moment the intense loneliness and beauty of the open alpine setting held him.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Colapinto locked up at the restart after a safety-car period and slid into Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly, who then hit McLaren driver Norris, in an incident which resulted in all three retiring from the race.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

Her new book “Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel” is set at a ski resort in the 1950s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

It was an eye-opening statement given they started the race 17 places apart on the grid, George Russell on the front row alongside shock pole winner Pierre Gasly's Alpine; Antonelli on the penultimate row.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

But Alpine have stumbled since, until finally showing signs of a revival this season, following Renault's decision to abandon its F1 engine project and switch to Mercedes customer engines.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

I surveyed the railway schedule and became aware that I was one wrong ticket from Vienna, Milan, or some Alpine village that no one I knew had ever heard of.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Including Chips and her infectious love of alpines.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2023

“No alpines are going to bloom all season,” Chips said.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2023

At Oliver Nurseries, the alpines and plants that favor troughlike conditions are a small part of the vast offerings, as they have been since the nursery opened nearly 60 years ago.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2023

The openings between rocks offer opportunities for planting sun-loving alpines, succulents or small spring-flowering bulbs — plants with shallow roots that prefer well-drained soil.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2022

The gentians look very well on rockwork, but like a stronger soil than most alpines, loam suiting them best.

From Small Gardens and How to Make the Most of Them by Violet Purton Biddle