cliff

noun

ˈklif 

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

cliffy

ˈkli-fē 

adjective

Synonyms

• barranca
• barranco
• bluff
• crag
• escarpment
• palisade
• precipice
• scar
• scarp

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

But innovation is paired with complexity as regulatory systems lag and organizations grapple with tariffs, patent cliffs, M&As and global competition. —Tonushree Mondal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Even with the latest turnaround, U.S. consumers may still see some empty shelves in the coming weeks as the supply chain falls off the cliff. —Philip Elliott, Time, 12 May 2025

After passengers swim in the ocean, the boat tours the coast, veering close to the jagged cliffs, sea caves, and waterfalls. 10. —Rachel Ng, AFAR Media, 7 May 2025

But lawmakers want to reinvent the wheel as mass transit in the six-county region faces a looming fiscal cliff, something that happens a lot across the Land of Lincoln whenever money is in the mix. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 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