hill
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a high area of land that is smaller and less steep than a mountain.
n.a naturally raised area of land, lower and less rugged than a mountain.
Simple“We walked to the top of the hill to see the view of the city.”
In context“The rolling hills of the countryside were dotted with small sheep farms and ancient stone walls.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a name for the area where a government meets, like the US Congress.
n.a metonym for a legislative body, specifically the US Congress or the Parliament of Canada, based on their physical locations.
Simple“The new law is currently being debated by politicians on the Hill.”
In context“Speculation regarding the upcoming budget spread quickly across the Hill as lobbyists gathered outside the committee rooms.”
UsageUsually used with the definite article as 'the Hill'.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a small pile of earth or soil, often put around a plant.
n.a small heap or mound of earth, typically one piled around the base of a plant in agriculture.
Simple“The gardener made a small hill of soil around each potato plant.”
In context“Traditional farming methods involve planting corn in individual hills to ensure proper drainage and root support.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to pull soil into a pile around a plant.
v.to form earth into a heap or to draw earth around the roots of plants.
Simple“You should hill the beans once they reach a few inches in height.”
In context“The farmer spent the afternoon hilling the rows of crops to protect the developing tubers from sunlight exposure.”
UsageOften used in agricultural or gardening contexts.
* As an English surname, from the noun hill, shortened from Hilary, and from Old English hild (“battle”). * As a German surname, shortened from Hildebrand, related to the last sense above. * As a Finnish surname, calque of Finnish Mäki (“hill”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.