couloir: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Technical (Climbing/Mountaineering)
Quick answer
What does “couloir” mean?
A steep, narrow gully or gorge on a mountainside, especially one filled with snow or ice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A steep, narrow gully or gorge on a mountainside, especially one filled with snow or ice.
In broader usage, a narrow, confined passage or corridor, such as a hallway in a building or a passable channel in a crowded space.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties outside specialist circles.
Connotations
Evokes alpine/mountaineering expertise and danger. Using it for a regular hallway sounds pretentious or jocular.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to greater historical engagement with European alpine terminology, but still niche.
Grammar
How to Use “couloir” in a Sentence
climb/ascend/descend the [couloir]the [couloir] leads to/from [location]a couloir on the [mountain face]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “couloir” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form in standard use.]
American English
- [No verb form in standard use.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form in standard use.]
American English
- [No adverb form in standard use.]
adjective
British English
- [No adjective form in standard use.]
American English
- [No adjective form in standard use.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in geography, geology, and outdoor recreation studies.
Everyday
Almost never used. Would cause confusion.
Technical
Standard term in mountaineering, climbing, and ski touring guides/descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “couloir”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈkaʊlɔɪə(r)/ or /ˈkʌlwɑː(r)/.
- Using it to refer to a normal building corridor.
- Misspelling as 'coulour', 'cooloir', or 'coolwar'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a common error for speakers of French or related languages. In English, 'couloir' is almost exclusively a mountaineering term for a steep mountain gully. Use 'corridor', 'hallway', or 'passage' instead.
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term. The average native speaker may not know it. Common synonyms like 'gully' or 'chute' are more widely understood.
In British English, it's typically /ˈkuːlwɑː/ (KOOL-wah). In American English, it's often /kuːˈlwɑːr/ (koo-LWAHR), with a more pronounced final 'r' sound.
It is a direct borrowing from French, where 'couloir' originally meant 'a place for running' (from 'couler', to flow) and now means both 'corridor' and 'mountain gully'. English took only the specialised alpine meaning.
A steep, narrow gully or gorge on a mountainside, especially one filled with snow or ice.
Couloir is usually formal; technical (climbing/mountaineering) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is highly specific.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COOLer (sounds like 'couloir') is needed for the dangerous, steep climb up the icy mountain gully.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PATH AS A DANGEROUS CONDUIT (e.g., 'a couloir of avalanche debris').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'couloir' MOST appropriately used?