alps
alps Lexical Profile
alps Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A vast, crescent-shaped mountain range system in south-central Europe, stretching from the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy through Switzerland, Austria, and into Slovenia, featuring some of the highest peaks in Europe, including Mont Blanc.
"Every winter, thousands of tourists flock to the Alps for world-class skiing and snowboarding."
Any high, rugged mountain or mountain range, particularly those that are snow-capped and similar in character to the European Alps.
"The southern alps of New Zealand offer breathtaking scenery and challenging climbing routes."
Word Nuance & Usage
When capitalized as 'the Alps', it refers specifically to the major European mountain range system; when lowercase, it can refer broadly to any high, snow-capped mountains.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'Alpes', which is generally thought to be of Celtic origin meaning 'high mountain', or derived from the Proto-Indo-European root '*albho-' meaning 'white' (in reference to snow-capped peaks).