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

Driven by looming patent cliffs, newly buoyant public markets, and Big Pharma’s race to beef up their pipelines, dealmaking so far in 2026 amounted to $106 billion over 201 deals, according to PitchBook data. —Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 4 June 2026

But what some people miss is a beautiful fishing port that's lined with steep, limestone cliffs and carpeted with pebbly beaches. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026

Pamushana's infinity pool glitters to the cliff edge, beneath which is the Malilangwe Dam and panoramic views of rolling hills covered in green mopane woodland and orange sandstone cliffs. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Instead, San Francisco has already fired its third base coach, turns every routine fielding play into an adventure, and has pitching that has fallen off a cliff. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 June 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