cliff

noun

ˈklif 

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

cliffy

ˈkli-fē 

adjective

Synonyms

• escarpment
• crag
• palisade
• 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

Beneath the sandstone cliffs of Diriyah, on a runway at the UNESCO World Heritage site, models strutted couture from Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, giving the recent Riyadh Fashion Week global cache. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025

All these activities are enhanced by the world-class, award-winning amenities at Red Ledges, beginning with the scenic, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, which showcases winding canyons, dramatic red rock cliffs, and stunning mountain vistas. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025

The petrified waterfalls have turquoise pools perched on cliff edges. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025

While standing on rocks at the edge of a cliff. —Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing cliff

• cliff dweller
• cliff-hanger
• cliff swallow

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