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¹rift

noun \ˈrift\

: a situation in which two people, groups, etc., no longer have a friendly relationship

: a deep crack or opening in the ground, a rock, etc.

geology : a break in the Earth's crust

Full Definition of RIFT

a : fissure, crevasse

b : fault 5

: a clear space or interval

: breach, estrangement

See rift defined for English-language learners

See rift defined for kids

Origin of RIFT

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan & Norwegian rift fissure, Old Norse rīfa to rive — more at rive

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RIFT

Synonyms: check, chink, cleft, cranny, crevice, fissure, crack, split

Other Geology Terms

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

Rhymes with RIFT

drift, gift, grift, lift, shift, shrift, sift, squiffed, swift, thrift

²rift

verb

Definition of RIFT

intransitive verb

: to burst open

transitive verb

: cleave, divide <hills were rifted by the earthquake>

: penetrate

First Known Use of RIFT

14th century

RIFT Defined for Kids

rift

noun \ˈrift\

Definition of RIFT for Kids

: an opening made by splitting or separation : cleft <a rift in the ice>

: a break in friendly relations <A misunderstanding caused a rift within the family.>

Learn More About RIFT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "rift"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "rift"

Nglish: Translation of "rift" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "rift" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "rift"

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