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

There is Monito Island, a small mesa that protrudes from the Caribbean, and the larger Mona Island, about seven miles of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. — Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

But just past it, the waves cut deeply into the beach, defining foot-high sand cliffs and wrapping around tree stumps that once would have been far inland. — John Anglim, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Some of the best hiking trails are along the cliffs of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, like the three-quarter-mile Beach Trail, which winds through clusters of pine trees and wildflowers on the way down to the sand. — Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

In 2021, a series of sacred, 300-year petroglyphs along the cliffs of Hawaii were defaced with a paintball gun, marking one in a string of incidents involving the artworks. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 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