# hike

/ˈhaɪk/ (US) · /hˈaɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hike
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a long walk

noun · CEFR A2

a long walk in the countryside or mountains for exercise or fun.

For teachers: a long-distance walk, typically taken for recreation in a rural or mountainous environment.

- We went for a long hike in the national park last Saturday.
- The group planned a challenging ten-mile hike through the rugged terrain of the highlands, ensuring they had sufficient supplies for the day.

### 2. a price increase

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden or large increase in the cost or amount of something.

For teachers: a sharp or abrupt increase in a price, rate, or amount.

- The recent hike in petrol prices has made commuting very expensive.
- Economists expressed concern that a further hike in interest rates might stifle consumer spending during the holiday season.

### 3. to go for a long walk

verb · CEFR A2

to go for a long walk in nature.

For teachers: to walk a long distance for pleasure or physical exercise, especially in a natural setting.

- They love to hike in the mountains during the summer months.
- Every autumn, thousands of tourists hike the coastal trails to witness the dramatic change in the foliage.

### 4. to raise prices

verb · CEFR B2

to increase a price or an amount suddenly.

For teachers: to raise a price, tax, or fee significantly and often abruptly.

- The landlord decided to hike the rent by twenty percent this year.
- The airline was criticised for its decision to hike ticket prices during the peak travel window of the national holiday.

### 5. to pull up

verb · CEFR B2

to pull something up quickly, like your trousers or a backpack.

For teachers: to pull or tug something upward with a sharp, quick motion.

- He had to hike up his jeans because they were a bit too loose.
- She paused to hike her heavy rucksack higher onto her shoulders before continuing the steep climb.

### 6. sailing

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to lean out over the side of a boat to keep it balanced in the wind.

For teachers: to lean out over the windward side of a sailing vessel to counteract the heeling effect of the wind.

- The crew had to hike out far to keep the small boat from tipping over.
- The helmsman shouted for the crew to hike out harder as a sudden gust threatened to capsize the dinghy during the final leg of the race.

Usage: The verb is often used with 'out' as in 'hiking out'.

### 7. American football

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to throw the ball backwards between the legs to start a play.

For teachers: to move the ball from the ground to the quarterback to initiate a play.

- The center waited for the signal to hike the ball to the quarterback.
- As soon as the center hiked the ball, the defensive line surged forward to pressure the kicker.

## Examples

- We are going for a long hike in the mountains tomorrow.
- The group packed plenty of water and a map before starting their ten-mile hike through the national park.
- While the initial part of the hike follows a gentle stream, the trail eventually steepens into a series of switchbacks that challenge even experienced trekkers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.