clamber

[ klam-ber, klam-er ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to climb, using both feet and hands; climb with effort or difficulty.

noun

1. an act or instance of clambering.

clamber

/ ˈklæmbə /

verb

1. usually foll byup, over, etc to climb (something) awkwardly, esp by using both hands and feet

noun

1. a climb performed in this manner

Derived Forms

• ˈclamberer, noun

Other Words From

• clamber·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clamber¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English clambren, equivalent to clamb- (akin to climb ) + -r- -er ⁶ + -en infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of clamber¹

C15: probably a variant of climb

Example Sentences

At least they did once the water had receded sufficiently for them to climb down from trees and clamber off their cars and try to re-orientate themselves.

From BBC

As an oncoming train rumbled in the distance, López and her family picked up their luggage in hopes that it would stop or slow down so that they could clamber aboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Over half the congregation, including myself, clambered up.

From Los Angeles Times

People are still able to make the journey on foot, with pictures showing families clambering over rubble and scrambling through the four-metre crater in the road to get out of the country.

From BBC

“We hope that the students and the public will be able to sort of clamber over these rocks in the years to come and be inspired by what they find.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• climb