# hilly

/ˈhɪɫi/ (US) · /hˈɪli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

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

## Definition

having many hills. You use this to describe land that is not flat and goes up and down a lot.

For teachers: characterised by an abundance of hills; having a surface marked by many natural elevations.

## Examples

- The city is very hilly, so walking can be tiring.
- The race is particularly challenging because the hilly terrain requires runners to constantly adjust their pace.
- The region's hilly landscape provides excellent drainage for the vineyards, though it makes the use of heavy harvesting machinery nearly impossible.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.

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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.