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

When the Niagara Falls become the Frozen Falls, icicles dangle off the edge of the cliffs and clouds of frozen mist bathe the scene in a filmy white. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

The world-class 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, with its scenic vistas of canyons and cliffs, is a showpiece within Red Ledges. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026

The Urban Institute and The Commonwealth Fund estimate that the average annual premium for consumers over the subsidy cliff jumped to about $8,500 in 2026 from about $4,400 in 2025. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026

Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold. —Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 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