noun
cleft
KLEHFT
Cleft (noun) means a narrow opening, crack, or V-shaped gap, especially in rock or in part of the body. Example: “A small stream ran through a cleft in the hillside.”
noun
1
A narrow opening, crack, or V-shaped gap, especially in rock or in part of the body.
"A small stream ran through a cleft in the hillside."
"He had a noticeable cleft in his chin."
adj
1
Split or divided, especially by a deep crack or notch.
"The baby was born with a cleft lip that surgeons later corrected."
"A cleft rock marked the entrance to the cave."
How to use cleft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA split, crack, or notch — used for rock formations, chins, and certain birth conditions like cleft lip/palate.
Common pairings
cleft chin
cleft lip
cleft in the rock
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Word forms
- Plural
- clefts
- Third person singular
- clefts
- Past tense
- clefted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A small stream ran through a _____ in the hillside.
Etymology
From Old English geclyft, related to "cleave" (to split) — a cleft is literally something that has been cloven.
Related words
Rhymes for cleft
See all rhymes for cleft →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleft” mean?
The word “cleft” means a narrow opening, crack, or V-shaped gap, especially in rock or in part of the body. In plain terms, a split, crack, or notch — used for rock formations, chins, and certain birth conditions like cleft lip/palate.
How do you pronounce “cleft”?
“Cleft” is pronounced KLEHFT (/ˈklɛft/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleft” in a sentence?
Here is “cleft” used in a sentence: “A small stream ran through a cleft in the hillside.”
What part of speech is “cleft”?
Depending on how it is used, “cleft” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “cleft” come from?
The word “cleft” comes from Old English. From Old English geclyft, related to "cleave" (to split) — a cleft is literally something that has been cloven.
How many meanings does “cleft” have?
“Cleft” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a narrow opening, crack, or V-shaped gap, especially in rock or in part of the body.
