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

Carolina took the Los Angeles Rams to the cliff’s edge in their 34-31 wild-card marathon. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

These are old stone monk lodgings perched right on the edge of the cliff on the mountain between Perissa and Kamari. — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Try the Whiteside Mountain jaunt, which weaves up 750-foot-tall cliffs, or hike a stretch along the 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which leads to viewpoints like Wesser Bald Fire Tower. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026

Dumont worked with a cast of non-professional young actors and adopted a documentary-like approach to the film, which was shot against the red cliffs and blue waters of the Mediterranean. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Sep. 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

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