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

Prosecutors said the defendant wanted to kill his spouse and tried to push her off the cliff. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

The property was in private ownership for generations, its soaring cliffs and sand dunes hidden from motorists zooming along the road between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

The open-air rock shelters and towering sandstone cliffs are living canvases of ancient paintings from the Upper Paleolithic Period to the Neolithic (50,000–8,000 bce). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Santa Cruz Fire Department The Fire Department said 911 calls reported a vehicle over the cliff next to Parking Lot C at Lighthouse Field State Beach. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 13 Aug. 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