hike

[hahyk]

verb (used without object)

hiked, hiking 

1. to walk or march a great distance, especially through rural areas, for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like.

   Synonyms: backpack, trudge, trek, ramble, tramp

2. to move up or rise, as out of place or position (often followed byup ).

   My shirt hikes up if I don't wear a belt.

3. Nautical.,  to hold oneself outboard on the windward side of a heeling sailboat to reduce the amount of heel.

verb (used with object)

hiked, hiking 

1. to move, draw, or raise with a jerk (often followed byup ).

   to hike up one's socks.

2. to increase, often sharply and unexpectedly.

   to hike the price of milk.

noun

1. a long walk or march for recreational activity, military training, or the like.

2. an increase or rise, often sharp and unexpected.

   a hike in wages.

hike

/ haɪk /

verb

1. (intr) to walk a long way, usually for pleasure or exercise, esp in the country

2. (usually foll by up) to pull or be pulled; hitch

3. (tr) to increase (a price)

noun

1. a long walk

2. a rise in prices, wages, etc

Other Word Forms

• hiker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hike¹

First recorded in 1800–10; perhaps dialectal variant of hitch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hike¹

C18: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take a hike, to go away because one's company is not desired.

see take a hike.

Example Sentences

This conflict revolves around Consettur losing its licence to a rival bus firm in this remote part of Peru, where, unless you want to hike over Andes mountains, the only access is by public transport.

Read more on BBC

Business leaders face a nervous final few days before the chancellor's second Budget, having borne the brunt of a brutal set of tax hikes this time last year.

Read more on BBC

“I often get to climb, rappel, hike, bike or paddle some sections of the race—usually the most fun parts!”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The University of California board of regents voted Wednesday to renew a “tuition stability” that will hike tuition by up to 5% for each new incoming class.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The move spares residents from a hike in electricity prices and restores certainty to an energy sector long paralyzed by regulatory whiplash.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• backpack 
• explore 
• hoof it 
• stroll 
• tramp