alpine

American  

[al-pahyn, -pin] / ˈæl paɪn, -pɪn /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, on, or part of any lofty mountain.

2. very high; elevated.

3. Alpine, of, pertaining to, on, or part of the Alps.

4. Botany. growing on mountains above the limit of tree growth.

   alpine plants.

5. Often Alpine of or relating to downhill skiing or a competitive downhill skiing event.

6. Anthropology. Alpine, (no longer in technical use) having the features characteristic of an Alpine.

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noun

1. Anthropology. Alpine, (no longer in technical use) a member of a Caucasoid people found in central Europe and characterized by heavy body build, medium complexion, and straight to wavy hair.

Alpine ¹ British  

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Alps or their inhabitants

2. geology

   1. of or relating to an episode of mountain building in the Tertiary period during which the Alps were formed

   2. of or relating to a high mountainous environment heavily modified by glacial erosion

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alpine ² British  

/ ˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to high mountains

2. (of plants) growing on mountains, esp above the limit for tree growth

3. connected with or used in mountaineering in medium-sized glaciated mountain areas such as the Alps

4. skiing of or relating to racing events on steep prepared slopes, such as the slalom and downhill Compare nordic

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noun

1. a plant that is native or suited to alpine conditions

alpine Scientific  

/ ăl′pīn′ /

1. Resembling or characteristic of the European Alps or any other high mountain system, especially one that has been shaped by intense glacial erosion.

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Usage

What is Alpine skiing? Alpine is a classification in the sport of skiing that specifically refers to forms of what’s sometimes also called downhill skiing—events that take place on a downhill course with the objective of crossing the finish line in the shortest possible amount of time. The terms Alpine and Alpine skiing are used in contrast with Nordic and Nordic skiing, which includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Both alpine and nordic are sometimes left uncapitalized. Alpine events include the slalom, the giant slalom, the super giant slalom (popularly called Super G)—all of which involve a course marked by poles or gates—as well as the event straightforwardly known as downhill, which takes place on a relatively straight downhill course (without gates). All of these are events in the Winter Olympics, grouped under the category officially called Alpine Skiing. There are also Alpine skiing events in the Paralympic Winter Games. The skis used in Alpine skiing differ from those used in Nordic skiing in shape, size, and structure. Example: Of all the Alpine events at the Winter Olympics, my favorite is giant slalom.

Other Word Forms

• alpinely adverb

Etymology

Origin of alpine

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Alpīnus, equivalent to Alp(ēs) (plural) “the Alps” + -īnus adjective suffix; -ine ¹

Explanation

Use the word alpine to describe something that reminds you of high mountains. You could describe the distant clouds in the sky over the plains as "vaguely alpine." A plant or animal that lives in the mountains is alpine, and your summer trip hiking in the Rocky Mountains is also alpine. The kind of skiing that requires a mountain to race down is alpine skiing, and moss that grows at very high altitudes is alpine moss. In fact, if something has to do with tall mountains, it's alpine. The word means "of the Alps," and if Alpine is capitalized, it is referring specifically to the Alps.

Example Sentences

In addition, they are prevalent throughout the environment — in alpine snow, deep sea sediment and drinking water.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

In the alpine combined, skiers complete a run of both the super G and slalom, with their factored times combined to determine the final standings.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

To women nodding along while reading tales of alpine divorces and ghostlighting filling their social media feeds, Fusco is the typical catch in the increasingly polluted dating pool.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

The Dolomite ski resort of Cortina will play host to most of the action as it welcomes the wheelchair curling, para alpine skiing and para snowboarding.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

There was no food production at all in New Guinea alpine habitats above 9,000 feet, little on the hillslopes between 4,000 and 1,000 feet, and only low-density slash-and-burn agriculture in the lowlands.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond