cliff

noun

ˈklif 

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

cliffy

ˈkli-fē 

adjective

Synonyms

• escarpment
• crag
• palisade
• 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

The early morning temple grounds are green and quiet, stacks of stone carvings lean against each other inside tall alcoves carved out of the cliff by centuries of water. —Rebecca Chace july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025

Looking Forward Merck’s acquisition strategy reflects management’s understanding of the Keytruda cliff and their determination to address it. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

That’s in part because of the legislative cliffs that Republicans set up in the mammoth tax-and-spending bill that President Donald Trump signed earlier this month. —semafor.com, 10 July 2025

However, the group ended up driving their van off a cliff after not noticing that the Cow Creek Bridge had been flooded, thanks to the heavy rain and darkness. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 10 July 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