View synonyms for alpine

alpine

[ al-pahyn, -pin ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.
very high; elevated.
Alpine, of, pertaining to, on, or part of the Alps.
Botany. growing on mountains above the limit of tree growth:
alpine plants.
Often Alpine. of or relating to downhill skiing or a competitive downhill skiing event. Compare Nordic ( def 3 ).
Alpine, Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) having the features characteristic of an Alpine.

noun

Alpine, Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) a member of a Caucasoid people found in central Europe and characterized by heavy body build, medium complexion, and straight to wavy hair.

Alpine

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants
geology
1. of or relating to an episode of mountain building in the Tertiary period during which the Alps were formed
2. of or relating to a high mountainous environment heavily modified by glacial erosion

alpine

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

of or relating to high mountains
(of plants) growing on mountains, esp above the limit for tree growth
connected with or used in mountaineering in medium-sized glaciated mountain areas such as the Alps
See nordic
skiing of or relating to racing events on steep prepared slopes, such as the slalom and downhill Compare nordic

noun

a plant that is native or suited to alpine conditions

alpine

/ ăl′pīn′ /

Resembling or characteristic of the European Alps or any other high mountain system, especially one that has been shaped by intense glacial erosion.

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Other Words From

alpine·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of alpine¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Alpīnus, equivalent to Alp(ēs) (plural) “the Alps” + -īnus adjective suffix; -ine ¹

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Example Sentences

A great place to build skills is at Bluebird Backcountry, an alpine touring resort that opened last year near Steamboat.

From Outside Online

I’ve skied with pro big-mountain freeriders who are aerobic beasts and can charge up extended climbs on gear that weighs almost as much as a full alpine setup.

From Outside Online

You’ll ascend a pleasantly steady 3,200 feet up an old railroad grade, peaking out around 11,700 feet and taking in classic high-alpine views.

From Outside Online

With up to 195 horsepower, a whopping 22 inches of wheel travel on a trophy-truck-inspired suspension, and 30-inch tires, the Maverick X3 permits the kind of safe but high-speed desert and alpine driving you’ve seen on TV.

From Outside Online

The Twin Skin features strips of mohair underfoot, like the skins you use with alpine touring skis, for surprisingly good kick and glide.

From Outside Online

Let there be wine, food, music, and ravishing summer landscapes from Alpine meadows to Riviera beaches.

From The Daily Beast

Located in Fribourg, Switzerland, Perritaz uses untreated, foraged fruit grown on high trees around his home in the Alpine region.

From The Daily Beast

In 2007, Heather Mills—an amputee and alpine skier (and yes, the former wife of Paul McCartney)—danced on the show.

From The Daily Beast

Half an hour due east of Marfa is the tiny college town of Alpine.

From The Daily Beast

From Turin, as Ligety continued his rise to success in the alpine ski world, he and Miller would interact more as peers.

From The Daily Beast

In an ordinary Alpine region the névé districts, where the snow gathers, are relatively small.

From Project Gutenberg

Passage over it is often one of the most difficult feats to accomplish which the Alpine explorer has to undertake.

From Project Gutenberg

In Europe it extended to the Alpine region, but failed to reach the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

From Project Gutenberg

There are also a number of alpine species suitable for rockeries, such as C. alpina, caucasica, caespitosa and others.

From Project Gutenberg

Bud walked at least a rod toward Alpine before he swung short around in his tracks and started the other way.

From Project Gutenberg

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More About Alpine Skiing

What is Alpine skiing?

Alpine is a classification in the sport of skiing that specifically refers to forms of what’s sometimes also called downhill skiing—events that take place on a downhill course with the objective of crossing the finish line in the shortest possible amount of time.

The terms Alpine and Alpine skiing are used in contrast with Nordic and Nordic skiing, which includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Both alpine and nordic are sometimes left uncapitalized.

Alpine events include the slalom, the giant slalom, the super giant slalom (popularly called Super G)—all of which involve a course marked by poles or gates—as well as the event straightforwardly known as downhill, which takes place on a relatively straight downhill course (without gates).

All of these are events in the Winter Olympics, grouped under the category officially called Alpine Skiing. There are also Alpine skiing events in the Paralympic Winter Games.

The skis used in Alpine skiing differ from those used in Nordic skiing in shape, size, and structure.

Example: Of all the Alpine events at the Winter Olympics, my favorite is giant slalom.

Where does Alpine skiing come from?

In general, the word Alpine is used in relation to things involving the European mountains known as the Alps, a popular location for skiing and other winter sports. The first records of the word Alpine in reference to skiing come from the early 1900s.

It was around that time that Alpine skiing began to be developed as a sport, gaining popularity in the 1920s. Before this time, most ski-based sporting events were of the Nordic variety.

Alpine skiing was introduced to the Winter Games in 1936 and has been featured at every Winter Olympics since, with various Alpine events like giant slalom and super giant slalom being added over the years.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for Alpine skiing?

downhill skiing

What are some words that share a root or word element with Alpine skiing?

Alps

What are some words that often get used in discussing Alpine skiing?

How is Alpine used in the context of skiing?

Alpine skiing is the official name of the category of events in the Winter Olympics. It is sometimes casually called downhill skiing. The term Alpine is used in contrast with Nordic, which refers to other kinds of skiing, like cross-country skiing and ski jumping.

And apparently I’m the oldest female alpine Olympic medalist 🤷🏼‍♀️ kinda cool! #oldbutstillhip 😎#illtakeit

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) February 21, 2018

.@tedligety is the 1st U.S. man to win gold in GS & 2nd American with 2 Alpine skiing golds. (Andi Mead-Lawrence, 1952 GS/Slalom) #GoTeamUSA

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 20, 2014

Matthias Mayer became the first man to win gold medals in Alpine skiing at three straight Olympics (via @AP) https://t.co/aSPRatLDMn

— Bloomberg (@business) February 8, 2022

Try using Alpine!

Which of the following skiing events is NOT classified as an Alpine event?

A. Ski Jump
B. Downhill
C. Slalom
D. Giant Slalom

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