Cliff Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/klɪf/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A naturally formed or man-made slope or face of rock or earth, typically near the top of a valley, mountain, or hill, with a precipitous and steep drop to a lower level.

Examples

• The hikers carefully made their way along the cliff edge.
• The cliff face was covered in lush green vegetation.

Synonyms

• Bluff
• ?Face

Antonyms

• Plain
• Plain

Additional Information

Cliffs are often formed through erosion, weathering, or tectonic activity. They can be found in various environments, such as coastal areas, mountains, and canyons. Cliffs can also be created artificially, such as for rock climbing or for scenic viewpoints.

Some cliffs are popular tourist destinations, offering breathtaking views and thrill-seeking activities like rock climbing or hiking.

Etymology

The word “cliff” originates from the Old English word “clif”, which means “slope” or “bank”. This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*kleb-” and the Proto-Indo-European root “*klep-“, both of which convey a sense of slope or inclination.

Usage Notes

When using “cliff” in context, it is important to distinguish it from other words that describe natural formations, such as “bluff” or “face”. “Cliff” specifically implies a steep, almost vertical slope.

Cultural References

Cliffs have appeared in numerous works of fiction, such as in the popular book series “Lord of the Rings” or in the movie “The Edge”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• dance on the edge of a cliff
• stand on the cliff

Related Words or Phrases

• Bluff
• Face
• Slope

Collocations

• cliff jump
• cliff diving
• cliff hanging

Frequency of Use

“Cliff” is a relatively common word in modern language, with a frequency of about 0.04% in a large corpus of texts.