Hike Meaning and Definition
Hike
Pronunciation
/haɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A long walk or walk for recreation or exercise, especially in the countryside or in the mountains.
Examples
- The group decided to go on a hike to the top of the mountain.
- Hiking in the national park was a great way to spend the day.
Synonyms
- Walk
- Trek
- Journey
Antonyms
- Crawl
- Ride
Etymology
The word “hike” comes from the Old English word “hican”, which means “to move vigorously” or “to hasten”. It has been used as a noun to refer to a long walk or journey since the 15th century.
Usage Notes
The word “hike” is commonly used in British English, while “walk” is preferred in American English. However, both words are widely accepted and used interchangeably.
Cultural References
The concept of a hike has been featured prominently in various forms of media, including films, literature, and music. For example, the iconic song “The Hike” by singer-songwriter Jason Isbell tells the story of a group’s adventure on a hike.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions and phrases related to hiking include:
- “Take a hike”: to tell someone to leave or go away
- “On the hike”: to be on a journey or path
- “Hiking high”: to be feeling elated or triumphant
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to “hike” in meaning or usage include:
- Walk
- Trek
- Trail
- Climb
Collocations
Common collocations with the word “hike” include:
- hike up the mountain
- hike through the forest
- hike to the summit
- hike in the wilderness
Frequency of Use
The word “hike” is a relatively common noun in modern English, ranking among the top 1,000 most frequently used words in the Oxford English Corpus.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “hike” include:
- HIKE
- HIKER
- HIKING