English Reference

Word

alpine

US/ˈæɫˌpaɪn/

UK/ˈælpaɪn/

Definitions

01relating to high mountains

B2

adj. relating to high mountains, especially the area above where trees can grow.

adj. relating to, inhabiting, or characteristic of high mountains, particularly the zone above the timberline.

“The hikers enjoyed the fresh alpine air as they reached the peak.”

“The expedition studied the unique adaptations of alpine wildlife surviving in the harsh conditions above the treeline.”

Synonyms

mountainoushigh-altitude

Antonyms

lowland

02relating to the Alps

B2

adj. relating to the Alps, the famous mountain range in Europe.

adj. specifically relating to the Alps mountain range in Central and Western Europe.

“We stayed in a traditional alpine village during our trip to Switzerland.”

“The region is famous for its alpine pastures, where cattle graze during the summer months to produce high-quality cheese.”

03skiing

B2 · Sport

adj. relating to downhill skiing or slalom, rather than cross-country skiing.

adj. denoting competitive downhill skiing and slalom events, as distinguished from Nordic or cross-country disciplines.

“She preferred alpine skiing because she loved the speed of the downhill runs.”

“The winter resort offers a variety of alpine events, including giant slalom and high-speed downhill competitions.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04mountain plants

C1 · Botany

n. a small plant that naturally grows in high mountain areas, often used in rock gardens.

n. any plant native to high mountain habitats, typically characterised by a low-growing or cushion-like form.

“He planted several colourful alpines in the rocky corner of his garden.”

“The botanical garden features a specialised greenhouse dedicated to rare alpines that require precise temperature control to thrive.”

Technical

Synonyms

rock-plant

Real-World Examples

“It is believed she has been spending her time out of the public eye at an Alpine chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, since leaving Royal Lodge.”
BBC News · 29 Aug 2026
“The Alpine Graubünden region, also known as Grisons, is a popular holiday destination for both winter sports and summer nature activities in eastern Switzerland.”
BBC News · 21 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French alpin, see also alpine.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Botany

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/alpine

English Reference