cliff

noun

ˈklif 

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

cliffy

ˈkli-fē 

adjective

Synonyms of cliff

• escarpment
• palisade
• crag
• bluff

Examples of cliff in a Sentence

Standing at the edge of the cliff, we watched the waves crash on the shore far below.

rock climbers scaling steep cliffs

Recent Examples on the Web

The sweep of red sandstone cliffs frames a long, often empty, beach, where the Irish Sea rolls in with quiet force. —Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026

Now facing a fiscal cliff, district leaders say staffing must be rightsized to adjust for declining enrollment. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

The shot of the car hurtling off the cliff is one of cinema’s most enduring images, illustrating unbreakable friendship, victory and freedom. —Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

This campaign’s last dash will crown new champions to succeed Liverpool and push a member of English football’s establishment over the relegation cliff edge into the EFL. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cliff

• biff
• diff
• glyph
• griff
• if
• riff
• schiff
• skiff
• sniff
• stiff
• tiff
• whiff

Kids Definition

cliff

noun

ˈklif 

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