noun

clough

kluhf

Clough (noun) means a narrow, steep-sided valley or ravine (chiefly British, especially in northern England). Example: “The path wound down through a wooded clough toward the river.”

noun

A narrow, steep-sided valley or ravine (chiefly British, especially in northern England).

"The path wound down through a wooded clough toward the river."

How to use clough

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA narrow valley or gorge, a term still used in place-names across northern England.

When to use it

Mostly a regional/dialect term today, common in English place-names rather than everyday speech.

Word forms

cloughs plural

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The path wound down through a wooded _____ toward the river.

Etymology

From Old English clōh, a word for a cleft or ravine, likely related to the idea of a cleft or gap in a hillside.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for clough

cough rough dough bough tough enough though plough slough trough through borough

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Frequently asked questions

What does “clough” mean?

The word “clough” means a narrow, steep-sided valley or ravine (chiefly British, especially in northern England). In plain terms, a narrow valley or gorge, a term still used in place-names across northern England.

How do you pronounce “clough”?

“Clough” is pronounced kluhf (/klʌf/ in IPA).

How do you use “clough” in a sentence?

Here is “clough” used in a sentence: “The path wound down through a wooded clough toward the river.”

What part of speech is “clough”?

“Clough” is a noun.

Where does the word “clough” come from?

The word “clough” comes from Old English. From Old English clōh, a word for a cleft or ravine, likely related to the idea of a cleft or gap in a hillside.