cliff
7 synonyms for cliff, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A high, steep face of rock, often found along a coastline.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cliff
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cliff edge
steep cliff
fall off a cliff
fiscal cliff
Etymology
From Old English clif, meaning "steep rock face."
Full origin of cliff →Frequently asked questions
What does “cliff” mean?
The word “cliff” means a high, steep face of rock, often found along a coastline. In plain terms, a steep rock face, often by the sea, or figuratively any point of sudden, sharp decline.
How do you pronounce “cliff”?
“Cliff” is pronounced klihf (/klɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “cliff” in a sentence?
Here is “cliff” used in a sentence: “They watched the sunset from the top of the cliff.”
What part of speech is “cliff”?
“Cliff” is a noun.
Where does the word “cliff” come from?
The word “cliff” comes from Old English. From Old English clif, meaning "steep rock face.".
Is “cliff” a common word?
“Cliff” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cliff” have?
“Cliff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a high, steep face of rock, often found along a coastline.
What is the difference between a cliff and a bluff?
A cliff is a high, steep face of rock that is often nearly vertical and frequently found along a coastline. A bluff is also a steep slope or headland but tends to be broader and less sheer, sometimes covered with soil or vegetation rather than being bare rock.
What is the difference between a cliff and a precipice?
A cliff is a general term for a high, steep rock face along a coast or inland. A precipice emphasises the sheer, dangerous drop at the very edge, and the word is often used figuratively for the brink of a disaster.
