hike out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “hike out” mean?
To depart on a hiking trip, especially one involving camping in the wilderness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To depart on a hiking trip, especially one involving camping in the wilderness.
Can be used metaphorically to mean leaving a situation or location, often implying a purposeful, energetic, or rugged departure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but 'hike' is slightly more common in American English for describing long walks in nature. The phrase might be encountered more frequently in North American outdoor literature.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of self-sufficiency, nature, and physical challenge in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequent in contexts related to camping, scouting, and outdoor adventure sports than in general conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “hike out” in a Sentence
[Subject] + hike out + [Prepositional Phrase (to/into)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hike out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We'll hike out from the hostel at first light.
- They planned to hike out across the Yorkshire Dales.
American English
- Let's hike out to the campsite before sunset.
- We need to hike out of this canyon by noon.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically in team-building contexts: 'The sales team will hike out for a weekend retreat.'
Academic
Very rare, except in fields like geography or outdoor education.
Everyday
Used among friends planning an outdoor trip: 'We're going to hike out to the lake on Saturday.'
Technical
Used in mountaineering, backpacking, and survival guides to describe the initial departure from a base.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hike out”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hike out”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hike out”
- Using it for a short walk ('I'll hike out to the shops'). Confusing it with 'hike up' (to increase/pull up).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Hike out' specifically emphasizes the act of departing or setting out on the hike, often with a destination or purpose like camping in mind. 'Go hiking' is more general.
It's possible, but it's more naturally used for trips involving an overnight stay or a journey into a wilderness area, as 'out' implies going out from a base into the wilds.
It is common within the specific subculture of hiking, backpacking, and outdoor adventure, but less common in general everyday conversation outside that context.
They are very similar synonyms. 'Trek out' might imply a slightly longer, more arduous, or more exploratory journey than 'hike out,' which is a more standard term.
To depart on a hiking trip, especially one involving camping in the wilderness.
Hike out is usually informal in register.
Hike out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪk ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪk ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hike out on someone (slang, rare: to abandon someone)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIKE as a long walk OUT into nature. You HIKE OUT to get OUT of the city.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / DEPARTURE IS A PHYSICAL CHALLENGE (e.g., 'After the meeting, he just hiked out of there without a word.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the core meaning of 'hike out'?