Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who climbs, especially as a sport or hobby: This refers to someone who ascends mountains, rocks, or other steep surfaces.
   • A plant that grows upward by clinging to or twining around a support: This refers to a type of vine or plant that climbs.
   • A device or tool for climbing: This can refer to a spike attached to footwear for traction on ice.
   • A person who seeks to advance their social status, often through flattery or association with others: This is a figurative use, often seen in the term "social climber."

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • She is an experienced climber who has summited several peaks in the Alps.
  • The climber secured the rope before attempting the next section of the cliff.
• Noun (Plant):
  • Ivy is a classic climber that covers old brick walls.
  • We planted a clematis, a beautiful flowering climber, next to the trellis.
• Noun (Device):
  • For safety on the glacier, each hiker was equipped with climbers on their boots.
• Noun (Socially Ambitious Person):
  • He was dismissed as a mere climber who only attended the party to network with influential guests.

Advanced Usage

• "Social climber": A person who aggressively seeks to improve their social status.
  • The novel's protagonist is a ruthless social climber determined to enter high society.
• In mountaineering, specific roles can be denoted:
  • "Lead climber": The person who ascends first, placing protection for others.

    • The lead climber carefully navigated the overhang.

Variants and Related Words

• Climb (verb): To go or move upward, often with effort.
  • It will take two days to climb the mountain.
• Climbing (noun/gerund): The activity or sport of climbing.
  • She took up climbing last year.
• Climbable (adjective): Able to be climbed.
  • The south face is not climbable in winter.

Synonyms

• Mountaineer (noun): Specifically for someone who climbs mountains.
• Alpinist (noun): A mountain climber, especially in the Alps or similar ranges.
• Creeper (noun): A type of climbing plant (similar but often implies growing along the ground as well).
• Upstart (noun): A person who has risen suddenly to a higher position (can be synonymous with "social climber" in a derogatory sense).

Related Phrases

• "To be a keen climber": To be an enthusiastic or dedicated climber.
  • He's a keen climber, spending every weekend at the crag.
• "Rock climber": A person whose sport is climbing rock faces.
  • The rock climber checked her harness one last time.

Noun

1. an iron spike attached to the shoe to prevent slipping on ice when walking or climbing
2. someone who climbs as a sport; especially someone who climbs mountains
   • the lead climber looked strong still but his partner often slumped in his ropes
3. someone who ascends on foot
   • a solitary mounter of the staircase
4. someone seeking social prominence by obsequious behavior
5. a vine or climbing plant that readily grows up a support or over other plants