cliff

1 of 2

noun

ˈklif 

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

cliffy

ˈkli-fē 

adjective

cliffy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈkli-fē 

-er/-est

: characterized by or abounding in cliffs : steep, craggy

a cliffy shoreline

Synonyms of cliff

Noun

• escarpment
• palisade
• crag
• bluff

Examples of cliff in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Also not returning is Joseph Fiennes as Sherlock’s father Silas Holmes who jumped off a cliff in the Season 1 finale and was presumed — but not confirmed — dead. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 July 2026

One of the most dramatic coastal settings in Europe, Étretat Beach lies on the Côte d’Albâtre (Alabaster Coast), a stretch of seaside in Normandy facing the English Channel that’s famous for its striking chalk cliffs. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Michigan Set right where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet, Mackinac Island offers travelers a relaxed vacation surrounded by natural beauty like limestone cliffs and rocky beaches. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 July 2026

The director and his crew shot in six countries to bring Odysseus’ voyage to life, from the sand dunes of Morocco to the rugged cliffs of Scotland. — Lea Tran, TheWeek, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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