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cliff

noun \ˈklif\

: a high, steep surface of rock, earth, or ice

Full Definition of CLIFF

: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice : precipice

— cliffy \ˈkli-fē\ adjective

See cliff defined for English-language learners

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Origin of CLIFF

Middle English clif, from Old English; akin to Old High German klep cliff, Old Norse klif

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLIFF

Synonyms: barranca (also barranco), bluff, crag, escarpment, palisade, precipice, scar, scarp

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with CLIFF

biff, diff, glyph, if, iff, jiff, miff, quiff, riff, skiff, sniff, spiff, spliff, stiff, syph, tiff, whiff

CLIFF Defined for Kids

cliff

noun \ˈklif\

Definition of CLIFF for Kids

: a high steep surface of rock

Learn More About CLIFF

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "cliff"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "cliff"

Nglish: Translation of "cliff" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "cliff" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "cliff"

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