boulder

/'bouldə/ Cách viết khác : (bowlder) /'bouldə/

Thân thiện

A large boulder rests in the middle of a grassy meadow.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, rounded rock: A boulder is a very large stone, typically one that has been worn smooth by water or weather over time. It is larger than a cobble or a stone.
   • A detached rock mass: In geology, a boulder is a rock fragment, often rounded, that has been moved from its original location by natural forces like glaciers, rivers, or weathering.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The hikers rested on a large boulder by the river.
  • The ancient glacier left many boulders scattered across the valley.
  • Climbing over the boulder was the most difficult part of the trail.

Advanced Usage

• "Boulder field": An area covered with many boulders.
  • The trail crosses a dangerous boulder field near the summit.
• "Boulder clay": A geological deposit containing boulders mixed with clay, often left by glaciers.
  • The soil here is mostly boulder clay, making it difficult to farm.

Variants and Related Words

• Bouldering (n): A form of rock climbing performed on small rock formations or artificial walls without ropes.
  • She enjoys bouldering at the gym.
• Bowlder (n): An archaic or alternative spelling of "boulder".
• Bouldery (adj): Characterized by or full of boulders.
  • The bouldery beach was difficult to walk on.

Synonyms

• Rock: A general term for a solid mineral mass.
• Stone: A small piece of rock.
• Monolith: A large single upright block of stone.

Related Phrases

• To be between a rock and a hard place: To be in a difficult situation with two equally unpleasant choices. (Note: This idiom uses "rock," not "boulder," but is conceptually related.)
  • I'm between a rock and a hard place with this decision.

Notes on Different Meanings

• Boulder (Proper Noun): The word can also be a place name, such as Boulder, Colorado, USA. This usage is always capitalized.
  • She moved to Boulder to attend the university.
• The primary definition discussed here is the common noun referring to a large rock.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a town in north central Colorado; Rocky Mountains resort center and university town
2. a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Boulder
• bowlder