Clamber
/ˈklæmbər/
verbB2
Definition
Clamber means to climb something with effort and difficulty, often because the surface is steep, rough, or hard to hold. People or animals clamber when they use their hands and feet together to move up or over something. It shows a slow, careful, and sometimes awkward way of climbing.
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See It in Action
To climb something difficult using hands and feet
- •The children clambered over the fallen tree in the forest.
- •He clambered up the steep rocks to reach the top of the hill.
- •The cat clambered onto the roof after chasing a bird.
To move awkwardly or with difficulty over something
- •She clambered through the thick bushes to find a way out.
- •The hikers clambered across the rough terrain carefully.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "clamber" like "climb" (A1 word), but slower and harder because the way is difficult and you need to use both hands and feet
- ✓Picture a child trying to climb a tall tree or a rocky hill, grabbing branches and rocks to pull themselves up
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to get out of a deep hole or over a fence and have to work hard to hold on and move carefully
- ✓Sounds like "CLAM-ber" → imagine someone trying to climb like a clam (a sea animal that sticks tightly) holding on very strongly
- ✓Think of mountain climbers or hikers going over rocks where they must carefully move all their limbs to avoid falling
- ✓NOT like "walk" (easy movement on flat ground), "clamber" is hard and needs effort and careful holding
- ✓NOT like "run" (fast movement), "clamber" is slow and careful because the surface is rough or steep
Try Other Words
- •Scramble: to move or climb quickly but with some difficulty (Use when the movement is fast but still difficult)
- •Climb: to go up something (Use for general going up, less focus on difficulty)
- •Scale: to climb something steep or high, often with effort (Use for serious or challenging climbs)
- •Haul oneself up: to pull yourself up with effort (Use when emphasizing pulling with hands)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; root is "clamber"
- •Etymology: From Old French "clambir," probably from Scandinavian origin, meaning to climb with difficulty
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1500s to describe difficult climbing or moving awkwardly
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people or animals climbing or moving over rough or steep places with effort and care
Reflect & Connect
•When have you had to clamber somewhere? How did it feel to move carefully and hold tightly?
•Can "clamber" be used for things other than climbing, like moving through crowds or difficult places? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The children clambered ___ the rocks because the path was too steep to walk.
2.When the fence was too high to jump, he had to clamber ___ it using both hands and feet.
3.Unlike walking on flat ground, clambering requires you to ___ carefully to avoid falling.
4.The hikers clambered ___ the rough terrain, moving slowly and carefully.
5.She clambered ___ the tree branches, trying to reach the bird’s nest.
6.To escape the flood, the family had to clamber ___ the slippery wall.
7.Clambering is different from climbing because it often feels more ___ and needs more effort.