ski jumping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical, sporting, news
Quick answer
What does “ski jumping” mean?
A winter sport in which a skier slides down a steep, curved ramp (the in-run) and jumps from a table, aiming for both distance and style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A winter sport in which a skier slides down a steep, curved ramp (the in-run) and jumps from a table, aiming for both distance and style.
The act, competition, or facility related to this sport. Can be used metaphorically to describe any daring or long leap, especially one with a high launch point.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Spelling of related compounds may follow regional norms (e.g., "jump" vs. "jump"). The sport is equally recognised.
Connotations
Associated with Winter Olympics, Nordic sports, and physical daring. Similar connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, spikes during Winter Olympic events. Equal frequency in UK and US sporting contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “ski jumping” in a Sentence
[Subject] + watches/competes in/dominates + ski jumping.The [adjective] ski jumping + event/hill/competition + [verb].He is a ski jumping + fan/athlete/coach.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ski jumping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He learned to ski jump in Norway.
- They will be ski jumping in the final round tomorrow.
American English
- She started to ski jump at age ten.
- He's been ski jumping professionally for years.
adjective
British English
- The ski jumping venue was packed.
- He holds a ski jumping world record.
American English
- She's on the ski jumping team.
- The ski jumping hills in Utah are impressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in sports marketing, sponsorship deals, or tourism related to winter resorts.
Academic
Used in sports science literature, studies of biomechanics or physics of the sport.
Everyday
Used when discussing winter sports, especially during the Olympics. Example: 'Did you see the ski jumping last night?'
Technical
The specific term for the sport, with detailed discussion of techniques, hill design (K-point, in-run), and scoring.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ski jumping”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ski jumping”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ski jumping”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'ski-jumping' is less common than the open compound 'ski jumping'.
- Using it as a verb directly (e.g., 'He ski jumping yesterday'). Correct: 'He was ski jumping' or 'He did some ski jumping.' The verb is 'to ski jump.'
- Confusing with 'ski jump' (the noun for the ramp/event). 'Ski jumping' is the activity/sport.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as an open compound: two words, 'ski jumping'. Hyphenation ('ski-jumping') is less common but sometimes seen in attributive use before a noun (e.g., ski-jumping hill).
The verb is 'to ski jump'. Example: 'She will ski jump in the qualifiers.' The present participle is 'ski jumping', which is identical to the noun.
Scores are based on distance achieved (distance points) and the judges' evaluation of flight style and landing (style points). Wind and gate compensation points may also be added.
Ski flying is a discipline of ski jumping, but on larger hills (HS>185m). The techniques are similar, but ski flying hills allow for much longer jumps, emphasizing pure distance.
A winter sport in which a skier slides down a steep, curved ramp (the in-run) and jumps from a table, aiming for both distance and style.
Ski jumping is usually technical, sporting, news in register.
Ski jumping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskiː ˌdʒʌmpɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈski ˌdʒʌmpɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'SKI' launching itself off a 'JUMP' and then 'ING' (landing). SKI - JUMP - ING.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A SKI JUMP (a daring leap into the unknown). A PROJECT/CAREER IS A SKI JUMP (requiring a good run-up and a bold launch).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of ski jumping?