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bold

bold

4 6.3
Very steep and almost straight up, like a cliff
  • adjective
  • /boʊld/
translation icon : escarpado
  • From the top of the bold ridge, we could see the entire valley below.

Examples

  • The bold rock face presented a challenging route for climbers.

  • Beyond, Shelter Island was bold as a green rock in a swell he had never seen so shining and nearly still.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Later on, they left bold reminders of their presence in the form of gigantic stone circles, which are still found all over Lewis.

    Academic text (2006)
  • A few palatial houses rose from bold slopes of emerald lawn.

    Blog text (1)
  • As the ship drew nearer to the "bold, rugged, ragged outline" of the Irish coast, however, he became increasingly unsettled.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The mountain had a bold cliff that rose sharply into the sky.

Synonyms

steep
vsbold
131 2.5

Having a very sharp slope or almost vertical angle

is more specific to a striking, prominent rock face rather than general sharpness
sheer
vsbold
23 4.1

Very steep and almost vertical like a cliff face

is applied more to notable rock faces and prominence than pure straightness
precipitous
vsbold
6 7.7

A very steep slope like a cliff that is dangerous to climb

focuses on prominence and near verticality rather than danger or risk
perpendicular
vsbold
1 6.7

So steep that it drops almost straight down

is used for very sharp, prominent rock faces rather than exact right-angle drops
steep-sided
vsbold
1 4.3

A thing with sides that rise almost straight up

highlights a single prominent face rather than surrounding steepness
clifflike
vsbold
1 5.4

Very steep and high with a sharp drop at the edge

means a single prominent rock face rather than a general landform likeness
bluff
vsbold
7.4

Very steep and high, like the edge of a cliff

emphasises notable prominence of rock rather than only the abruptness of the drop
cliffed
vsbold
7.0

A place with steep rock sides along its edge

describes one striking face rather than the presence of multiple faces

Antonyms

797 1.0

Level and even without parts higher or lower

27 1.0

Not steep and rising slowly

Compounds

1 3.7

A strong clear line in drawing or painting that shows shape and makes parts stand out

A strong, rich red wine with deep flavor

BOLD fMRI
  • Specialized
5.8

A brain scan that shows which parts are active by measuring blood oxygen changes

How Steep

vertical
100 2.7
bold
4 6.3
steep
131 2.5
sloping
3.1
gentle
27 1.0

Surface Forms

bold positive
bolder comparative
boldest superlative

Etymology

Bold comes from old English beald meaning 'strong' or 'standing out', so a bold cliff is one that juts out and looks very steep and noticeable.