SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

cleave to

phrasal verb

Definition of cleave to

formal + literary

1 : to stay very close to (someone)

children cleaving to their families

2 : to stick closely to (something) —usually used figuratively

He continued to cleave to the beliefs of his childhood.

Word by Word Definitions

cleave play

: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
: to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views
: to subject to chemical cleavage

See the full definition of cleave

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