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

The rationale is straightforward: More people can be housed more safely and sustainably in cities than in mountainous, fire-prone tracts with little public infrastructure.

From Los Angeles Times

The bluffs, canyons and mountainous terrain that comprise the interior of the base has been fertile training ground for those sent to conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

Red alerts for landslides were also issued in the mountainous regions of Guangdong province.

From BBC

There are still alerts for heavy rain in the next few days and warnings of landslides in mountainous areas.

From BBC

Decker, 32, was wanted on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges, according to Washington's Wenatchee Police Department, and officials believed he had been hiding in a remote part of the mountainous and wooded state.

From BBC

Related Words

• highland