verb

scale

To climb up something steep.

The climber scales the steep rock face with steady movements.

Etymology

The Latin source means ladder. The verb first concerned climbing by a ladder, then broadened to ascending steep surfaces more generally.

More examples

  • The cat scales the backyard fence in seconds.
  • Firefighters scaled a wall to reach the trapped residents.
  • We need ropes for scaling this icy cliff.

Forms

scale · scales · scaled · scaling

Similar words

climb
Climb is broader and does not require a steep surface.
ascend
Ascend means move upward, without necessarily climbing a surface.