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

Visitors leave enchanted by a rural area where Irish is spoken with pride, traditions are fiercely alive, mountains and cliffs beckon adventurers, and fresh seafood is always on the menu. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2025

About 10% of companies offer three-year cliff vesting, and another 7% offer two-year cliff vesting, according to the PSCA. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025

How to help The Carolina Climbers Coalition is seeking donations to pay for Phase One of a development plan for Lower Ghost Town cliffs, which includes access trails and repayment of the land loan. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Nov. 2025

Ocean boiling could explain the areas of ridges and cliffs detected in images of Miranda, for example. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

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