crevice

noun

crev·​ice ˈkre-vəs How to pronounce crevice (audio)
: a narrow opening resulting from a split or crack (as in a cliff) : fissure
A lizard emerged from a crevice in the cliff …Tony Hillerman

Did you know?

What's the difference between a crevice and a crevasse?

Crevice and crevasse are very similar words: both come from Old French crever "to break or burst" and both refer to an opening of some kind. In fact, you can say that the only notable distinction between the two is the size of the openings they denote—and that one of them—crevice—is far more common than the other.

A crevice is a narrow opening resulting from a split or crack. In nature, crevices exist mostly in rocks and cliffs, but writers sometimes use the word for similar openings found in other materials, as in "crumbs in the crevices of the cushion." The word also is used metaphorically, as in "the cracks and crevices of memory."

Crevasse refers to a deep hole or fissure in a glacier or in the earth. In most instances, the word appears with enough context that the depth of the opening is easy enough to figure out, as in "a climber who fell 30 feet into a crevasse."

You'll sometimes find crevice used where crevasse is expected—probably because it's the word people are more familiar with. One way to remember the distinction between crevice and crevasse is that the i in crevice, the smaller hole, is a thinner letter than a in crevasse, the larger hole. Or, should you step into a crevasse, perhaps you'll have time for a lot of "Ahhhs"?

Examples of crevice in a Sentence

steam escaped from a long crevice in the volcano
Recent Examples on the Web The branch-like pegs within the chamber allowed our tester to load bottles, pump parts, and accessories in configurations that allowed steam to access every crevice for a highly effective clean. Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 For instance, species with longer walking legs tend to be associated with sand burrowing or living in rock crevices. Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 One of its six landing legs apparently dug in, or got caught on a rock or stuck in a crevice, causing the 14-foot-tall Odysseus to topple over on its side. William Harwood, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 Rinse off your grater as soon as possible after use to avoid bits of cheese drying in the crevices. Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024 This species can be found in mountainous regions of Central Asia, hiding in crevices throughout rocky cliff sides. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 Even if your windows and doors are totally shut and locked, drafts can seep in through small crevices. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 For tighter quarters, the vacuum detaches into a handheld device and comes with a crevice tool to clean sofa cushions, car seats, and more. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 On sale in brick red, this stick vacuum comes with a brush, crevice tool, telescopic tube, and LEDs that light up the debris ahead of you for a more thorough cleaning. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crevice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French crevace, from crever to break, from Latin crepare to crack

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crevice was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near crevice

Cite this Entry

“Crevice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crevice. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crevice

noun
crev·​ice ˈkrev-əs How to pronounce crevice (audio)
: a narrow opening caused by a split or crack : fissure

Medical Definition

crevice

noun
crev·​ice ˈkrev-əs How to pronounce crevice (audio)
: a narrow fissure or cleft
an ulcerated periodontal crevice
see gingival crevice

More from Merriam-Webster on crevice

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