cleft sentence

noun

: a sentence that emphasizes one part of a simple sentence (as "Kathy likes cognac") typically by transforming it into two clauses with the noun phrase to be emphasized in the first clause if it begins with it (as in "It is cognac that Kathy likes" or "It is Kathy who likes cognac") or following a form of be if the first clause begins with what (as in "What Kathy likes is cognac")

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near cleft sentence

Cite this Entry

“Cleft sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleft%20sentence. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY