mountainous

/ˈmaʊntənəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmaʊntənəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmau̇n-tə-nəs ˈmau̇nt-nəs/ (ame, mw)

mountainous — adjective

  • mountainouspositive
  • more mountainouscomparative
  • most mountainoussuperlative

1. describes a piece of land or a region that is covered with many mountains, so th

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a piece of land or a region that is covered with many mountains, so that the surface is not flat and travel is often difficult

例句

The mountainous region of central Taiwan is home to many indigenous communities.

collocation: mountainous region

Zayd spent three weeks hiking through the mountainous terrain of northern Laos.

collocation: mountainous terrain

同義詞
  • rugged

    focuses on rough, uneven ground rather than specifically many mountains

  • hilly

    similar but describes smaller elevations (hills); milder than mountainous

  • alpine

    specifically relating to high mountains, especially the Alps; more technical

反義詞
  • flat

    level ground with no mountains or hills

  • level

    even surface without raised features

文法句型

mountainous + noun

be + mountainous

用法筆記

This sense is used almost exclusively for describing geography — regions, terrain, landscapes, or areas. It does not describe the appearance of a single mountain, but rather a landscape full of many mountains.

常見錯誤

❌The mountainous peak was covered in snow.
✅The mountain peak was covered in snow.
💡'Mountainous' describes a region with many mountains, not an individual mountain.
❌This area is very mountain.
✅This area is very mountainous.
💡'Mountainous' is the adjective form; 'mountain' is a noun.

2. extremely large in size, amount, or degree, often in a way that is difficult to

2.形容詞B2
釋義

extremely large in size, amount, or degree, often in a way that is difficult to manage or overwhelming

例句

The national debt has reached mountainous proportions that worry many economists today.

collocation: mountainous proportions

After the floods, the relief team faced the mountainous task of rebuilding homes.

collocation: mountainous task

同義詞
  • enormous

    more neutral and common; lacks the 'overwhelming' connotation

  • colossal

    suggests impressive or shocking size; slightly more dramatic

  • staggering

    emphasises surprise or disbelief at the size; more emotional

反義詞

文法句型

mountainous + noun

用法筆記

This is a figurative sense. Commonly paired with nouns like 'task,' 'debt,' 'proportions,' 'pile,' 'wave,' or 'problem.' It often carries the idea that something feels overwhelming or hard to overcome.

常見錯誤

❌He ate a mountainous hamburger for lunch.
✅He ate an enormous hamburger for lunch.
💡'Mountainous' is used figuratively for abstract or overwhelming things, not for ordinary large objects.