What is hike? Pronunciation and usage in English

hike means . Learn how to pronounce and use hike through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of hike

hikenoun

/haɪk//haɪk/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "hike" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are (American vs. British English).

1. American English (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /haɪk/
  • Sounds:
    • "h": Pronounced like a normal "h" – a quick, breathy sound.
    • "i": Pronounced like the "ee" in "see."
    • "k": Pronounced like the "k" in "kite."
  • How to say it: "Hayk" (with a short "a" sound)

2. British English:

  • Pronunciation: /haɪk/ (very similar to American) – however, it can sometimes be slightly more drawn out.
  • Sometimes (less common): /haɪk/ (with a longer “i” sound, almost sounding like “high-k”).

Key Tips:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("hike").
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced. You can easily find examples on:
    • Google: Search "how to pronounce hike" on Google and it will usually have audio.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/hike/ – This website lets you hear pronunciations from native speakers around the world.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, would you like me to:

  • Record an example pronunciation for you?
  • Compare the pronunciation to another word (like "bike")?

Usage and examples with the word hike in English

Let's break down how to use the word "hike" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings and uses!

1. As a Verb (Action - to walk a long distance, especially in the countryside):

  • Most Common Use: This is the primary way "hike" is used. It means to walk a long distance, usually through natural areas like mountains, forests, or trails.

    • Example: "I'm going to hike in the mountains this weekend."
    • Example: "They hiked for six hours to reach the summit."
    • Example: "She enjoys hiking with her dog."

2. As a Noun (The activity of walking):

  • Refers to the activity itself: You can talk about “a hike” as a specific trip or outing.

    • Example: "We went on a beautiful hike through the redwood forest."
    • Example: "That hike was really challenging.”
    • Example: “She packed snacks for her hike."

3. Figurative Usage (Less Common - a significant journey or challenge):

  • Metaphorical meaning: Occasionally, “hike” can be used figuratively to describe a difficult or demanding undertaking, not necessarily in nature.

    • Example: “Dealing with that project was like a huge hike – exhausting and tough!” (Meaning it was a long, difficult process).

Here's a breakdown with examples to illustrate the different ways to use it:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb Walking in nature “Let’s hike to the waterfall.”
Noun The activity “We planned a scenic hike for our vacation.”
Noun (Fig.) Difficult journey “This career change feels like a major hike.”

Tips for Using "Hike":

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand whether "hike" is referring to a physical activity or a metaphor.
  • Associated words: "Hike" is often used with words like:
    • Trail
    • Mountain
    • Forest
    • Backpack
    • Boots
    • Scenic
    • Challenging
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you could also use words like: walk, trek, ramble, explore

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "hike" in different sentences?
  • Talk about specific types of hikes (e.g., day hikes, backpacking hikes)?
  • Explain hiking terminology (e.g., elevation gain, trail difficulty)?

Synonyms for the word hike

Idioms of the word hike

take a hike
(North American English, informal)a rude way of telling somebody to go away

    Practice with vocabulary hike

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The recent energy crisis led to a significant _____ in electricity prices.
    2. Our team decided to _____ through the challenging mountain trail for the annual company outing.
    3. Despite the challenging terrain, we managed to _____ the summit by midday.
    4. The consultant advised the company to _____ its expenditure on non-essential services.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following describes a sudden, significant increase in cost or price? a) a cut b) a surge c) a hike d) a decrease

    2. If you are planning a long, strenuous walk through natural terrain, which activity are you most likely undertaking? a) a sprint b) a marathon c) a stroll d) a hike

    3. The board approved a proposal to ______ the minimum wage, starting next quarter. a) elevate b) freeze c) hike d) lower

    4. Which word best describes the action of going up a steep incline or mountain, often requiring specialized equipment? a) wander b) ramble c) climb d) trek

    5. After the successful negotiation, the team felt a great sense of _______. a) accomplishment b) descent c) decline d) reduction

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The management decided to implement a significant increase in salaries for all employees. Rewrite using a form of "hike":
    2. Original: Our annual team-building event usually involves a long walk through the countryside. Rewrite using a form of "hike":
    3. Original: Following the successful funding round, the startup's valuation saw a sharp increase. Rewrite replacing "increase" with a suitable alternative (do not use "hike" or its forms):

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. hike
    2. hike
    3. ascend
    4. reduce

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) a surge, c) a hike
    2. d) a hike
    3. a) elevate, c) hike
    4. c) climb
    5. a) accomplishment

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The management decided to implement a significant salary hike for all employees.
    2. Our annual team-building event usually involves a hike through the countryside.
    3. Following the successful funding round, the startup's valuation saw a sharp rise.

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