climb

/klaɪm/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To move upward or toward the top of something, typically using one's hands and feet.

    • We watched the hikers climb the steep trail toward the summit.

    • Can you climb to the roof without using a ladder?

  2. To increase in amount, value, or intensity over time.

    • Summer temperatures often climb above ninety degrees in late July.

    • Have grocery prices climbed again this month?

  3. To advance to a higher rank, social status, or professional position.

    • She climbed through the corporate ranks to become vice president.

    • He had climbed into senior management before his thirtieth birthday.

How it's used

When this means “ascend a physical object”

  • climb the ladder
  • climb up the ladder

“climb it.”

He had to climb the ladder to clear leaves from the gutter.

When this means “advance socially or professionally”

  • climb the corporate ladder

“climb it.”

She spent a decade working long hours to climb the corporate ladder.

Collocations

  • climb a mountain
  • climb a tree
  • climb a ladder
  • climb the stairs
  • temperatures climb
  • prices climb
  • climb the ranks

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

  • climb the walls

    to feel extremely anxious, restless, or frantic

    After three days stuck indoors during the blizzard, the kids were climbing the walls.

  • climb on the bandwagon

    to join a popular trend or support a prevailing cause

    Investors began to climb on the bandwagon once the tech sector rebounded.