alpine

1 of 2

noun

al·​pine ˈal-ˌpīn 

1

: a plant native to alpine or boreal regions that is often grown for ornament

2

capitalized : a person possessing Alpine physical characteristics

Alpine

2 of 2

adjective

1

often not capitalized : of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountains

2

often not capitalized : of, relating to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the elevated slopes above timberline

3

: of or relating to a group or physical type characterized by a broad head, stockiness, medium height, and brown hair or eyes

4

: of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing compare nordic

Examples of alpine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Make no mistake—on less nauseating days, the hour-long journey on Route 89A between the alpine forest of Flagstaff and the sandstone desert of Sedona is iconic. —Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

When and where to go—plus how many days to stay—to get a dose Swiss alpine charm. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Or so the folks in the frosty, Alpine regions of Europe will tell you. —Doug MacCash, NOLA.com, 22 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French alpin, borrowed from Latin Alpīnus, from Alpēs, the Alps + -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alpine

• alpine bilberry
• alpine blueberry

Kids Definition

alpine

adjective

al·​pine ˈal-ˌpīn 

often capitalized

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling mountains and especially the Alps

b

: of, relating to, or growing on upland slopes above the highest elevation where trees grow

2

capitalized : of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing

Geographical Definition

Alpine

geographical name

Al·​pine ˈal-ˌpīn 

city in a mountainous region of western Texas population 5905