glacial-cirque
/ˈɡleɪ.ʃəl sɜːk/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A glacial cirque is a bowl-shaped hollow high in a mountain, carved by a glacier. It often has steep sides and a rounded bottom.
- The hikers saw a glacial cirque above the valley.
- A small lake filled the glacial cirque.
- Glacial cirques form in cold mountain areas.
Adinary Nuance
A glacial cirque is a specific landform, not just any mountain hollow. It is more exact than valley or basin, because ice made it. Writers use it in geography, geology, and travel descriptions when the shape matters.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hốc băng hà
- Spanish
- circo glaciar
- Chinese
- 冰斗
- Japanese
- 圏谷
- Korean
- 권곡
Etymology
Cirque comes from French, from Latin circus, meaning “circle.” Glacial was added later to show that ice formed the hollow, mainly in modern geography writing.
Common phrases
glacial cirque lakea deep glacial cirqueformed by a glacier
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is glacial cirque a common word in everyday English?
- No. It is mainly used in geography and geology texts.
- What is the difference between a cirque and a valley?
- A cirque is a bowl-shaped hollow at a mountain head. A valley is usually longer and wider.
- Can I use glacial cirque in IELTS writing?
- Yes, if you are describing landforms or mountain scenery accurately.