coombe
9.9
A small deep valley between hills, often found in southern England
- noun
- /kuːm/
- UK
:
coombe
- We hiked down into the small coombe, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Examples
-
"How would you like to be a coombe?" The bird glared at Adam and lifted the ruff of feathers about its neck in a manner that left no doubt as to its refusal.
Fiction book (2002) -
The village lay nestled in a green coombe, sheltered from the harsh winds.
-
As we explored the coombe, we discovered a beautiful stream at its bottom.
Synonyms
ravine
vscoombe
46
5.8
A deep narrow valley with steep sides made by a river
is like this but is not limited to water-formed channels in all cases
hollow
vscoombe
44
3.9
A small low area between hills
is similar but emphasizes greater depth and southern England location
2
9.9
A deep narrow valley that is often dry and made by water or lava
covers small deep valleys without implying dryness or volcanic origin
9.9
A small deep valley with steep sides
is the same small deep valley but stated more generally without steepness
natural depression
vscoombe
4.6
A low hollow in the ground that often holds water
is narrower meaning a small deep valley rather than any sunken area
How Deep
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word coombe comes from an old Celtic word cwm that means 'valley' or 'hollow'. That's why a coombe today is a small, deep valley, often found in southern England.