verb
Uncommon
Clive
KLYV
Clive (verb) means an old or dialect word meaning to climb or go upward. Example: “The goats clive the rocky slope with ease.”
verb
1
An old or dialect word meaning to climb or go upward.
"The goats clive the rocky slope with ease."
2
An old or dialect word meaning to split, separate, or chop something apart.
"He clove the log in two with a single swing of the axe."
noun
1
A dialect name for the plant burdock or for agrimony.
"Farmers once picked clive from the hedgerows for home remedies."
How to use Clive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old dialect verb covering both "to climb" and "to split apart", plus an old plant name — all now rare outside historical or regional texts.
Memory tip
Today "Clive" is far more familiar as a first name; the verb senses are archaic.
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Word forms
- Plural
- clives
- Third person singular
- clives
- Past tense
- clived, clove, cliven
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The goats _____ the rocky slope with ease.
Etymology
From Old English clīfan, "to cleave or stick fast", from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to stick or adhere" — related to modern cleave and to German kleben ("to stick").
Related words
Rhymes for Clive
See all rhymes for Clive →Frequently asked questions
What does “Clive” mean?
The word “Clive” means an old or dialect word meaning to climb or go upward. In plain terms, an old dialect verb covering both "to climb" and "to split apart", plus an old plant name — all now rare outside historical or regional texts.
How do you pronounce “Clive”?
“Clive” is pronounced KLYV (/ˈklaɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “Clive” in a sentence?
Here is “Clive” used in a sentence: “The goats clive the rocky slope with ease.”
What part of speech is “Clive”?
Depending on how it is used, “Clive” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “Clive” come from?
The word “Clive” comes from Old English. From Old English clīfan, "to cleave or stick fast", from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to stick or adhere" — related to modern cleave and to German kleben ("to stick").
Is “Clive” a common word?
“Clive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Clive” have?
“Clive” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old or dialect word meaning to climb or go upward.
Is 'clive' a real English word or just the name Clive?
Yes, lowercase 'clive' is a genuine but rare dialect word, distinct from the personal name Clive. As a verb it can mean to climb or go upward, or to split and chop something apart, and as a noun it refers to the plants burdock or agrimony.
What is the difference between the two verb senses of 'clive'?
One dialect sense of 'clive' means to climb or move upward, while the other, unrelated sense means to split, separate, or chop something apart. Context is needed to tell them apart since the word form is identical.
Is 'clive' still used in everyday modern English?
No, 'clive' is an old or dialect term that has largely fallen out of everyday use. It survives mainly in regional speech or older texts rather than standard contemporary English.
