ascend
English meaning: Ascend
Definition
To ascend is to go up or rise to a higher position or level. Speakers describe ascending to new heights of achievement.
Example
“She ascended quickly to a leadership role.”
Another example: “As the balloon began to ascend, the fields below shrank to a patchwork of green.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Formal verb meaning to move or rise upward, used physically (ascend the stairs, ascend a mountain) and figuratively of status or power (ascend to the throne, ascend the ranks). More formal than 'go up' or 'climb'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'ascendere', meaning to climb up.
Related Words
- descend
- throne
- heavens
- smartphone
- ascended
- decompression
- ascent
- everest
- heaven
- stairs
- ascending
- staircase
Common Collocations
- ascend the throne
- ascend the stairs
- ascend to power
- ascend a mountain
- ascend the ranks
Word Forms
ascend (v); ascended; ascends; ascending; ascent (n); ascension (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B