Word
alps
Phoneticsalps
US/ˈæɫps/
UK/ˈælps/
Definitions
01European mountain range
n. the high mountains in central Europe, famous for snow, skiing, and beautiful scenery.
n. the primary mountain system of Western Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres across eight countries.
“We spent our winter holiday skiing in the Alps.”
“The Alps provide a natural geographic barrier between the Mediterranean climate of Italy and the temperate regions of Central Europe.”
Usage
Always used with the definite article 'the' and treated as a plural noun.
Pitfall
I want to visit Alps next summer.
I want to visit the Alps next summer.
Always use the definite article 'the' when referring to this mountain range.
02high mountains in general
n. any very high mountains that look like the ones in Europe.
n. high, snow-capped mountains resembling the European Alps; often used in the names of other ranges.
“The Southern Alps in New Zealand are famous for their dramatic peaks.”
“Geologists often compare the tectonic activity of the Japanese Alps with that of their European namesakes.”
Usage
Often capitalized when part of a specific name, such as the 'Southern Alps' in New Zealand.
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin Alpēsder. Middle French Alpesbor. Middle English Alpes English Alps From Middle English Alpes, from Old English Alpis, ultimately from Latin Alpēs; in later use partly via French. Compare German Alpen (“alps”, plurale tantum), German Alp (“mountainous pasture”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/alps