Hill
/hɪl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA natural elevation of the earth's surface, lower than a mountain.
/hɪl/
A natural elevation of the earth's surface, smaller than a mountain.
We could see the castle from the top of the hill.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little mountain! A hill is a rise in the ground that's not super tall. You can usually walk or bike up one.
👶 For kids: A hill is a bump in the ground that's higher than the ground around it, but not as tall as a mountain.
More Examples
The children enjoyed rolling down the grassy hill.
The town is located at the foot of the hill.
How It's Used
"The hikers climbed the steep hill."
"The old house stood on a lonely hill, overlooking the valley."
To cover a plant with earth or soil to protect it or encourage growth; to form into a heap.
/hɪl/
To form into a small heap or mound.
She hilled the potatoes to protect them from the frost.
💡 Simply: When you 'hill' something, you're piling stuff (like dirt or earth) around it to protect it or help it grow. Think of it like giving a little blanket to a plant!
👶 For kids: To hill means to make a little pile of dirt around something.
More Examples
He was hilling the corn stalks with the tractor.
How It's Used
"The farmer had to hill the potato plants to protect the roots."
Idioms & expressions
over the hill
Too old; past one's prime.
"He felt over the hill when he couldn't keep up with the younger players."
From Old English *hyll*, from Proto-Germanic *hulliz* (mound). Cognate with Dutch *heuvel*, German *Hügel*.
The word "hill" has been used in English since the Old English period, and its basic meaning has remained consistent.