rift
rihft
Rift (noun) means a deep crack or split, especially in the earth or rock. Example: “A rift opened in the valley floor after the earthquake.”
noun
1
A deep crack or split, especially in the earth or rock.
"A rift opened in the valley floor after the earthquake."
"Hikers had to jump across a narrow rift in the rock to reach the ledge."
"Steam rose from a long rift on the side of the mountain."
2
A serious disagreement or break in a relationship between people or groups.
"The scandal caused a rift between the two former business partners."
"There has been a growing rift within the party over immigration policy."
"After years of arguments over the family business, a bitter rift grew between the two brothers."
verb
1
To split apart.
"The ice sheet rifted along an ancient fault line."
"Over millions of years the continent slowly rifted into two separate landmasses."
"Geologists say the crust here is beginning to rift along a line of weakness."
How to use rift
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA split — either a physical crack in the ground, or a falling-out between people.
Common pairings
a rift between friends
a rift in the earth
heal the rift
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Word forms
- Plural
- rifts
- Third person singular
- rifts
- Past tense
- rifted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ opened in the valley floor after the earthquake.
Etymology
From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse rífa (\"to tear\").
Related words
Rhymes for rift
See all rhymes for rift →Frequently asked questions
What does “rift” mean?
The word “rift” means a deep crack or split, especially in the earth or rock. In plain terms, a split — either a physical crack in the ground, or a falling-out between people.
How do you pronounce “rift”?
“Rift” is pronounced rihft (/ɹɪft/ in IPA).
How do you use “rift” in a sentence?
Here is “rift” used in a sentence: “A rift opened in the valley floor after the earthquake.”
What part of speech is “rift”?
Depending on how it is used, “rift” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rift” come from?
The word “rift” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse rífa (\"to tear\").
Is “rift” a common word?
“Rift” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “rift” have?
“Rift” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep crack or split, especially in the earth or rock.
What is the difference between "rift" and "gap"?
"Rift" usually implies a sudden or dramatic split, whether physical, as in cracked rock, or relational, as in a serious disagreement between people. "Gap" is more neutral and can describe any space or difference without necessarily implying a break that occurred.
What is the difference between a "rift" and a "feud"?
A "rift" is the break or disagreement itself, a rupture in a relationship between people or groups. A "feud" implies an ongoing, often prolonged conflict, which can be the result of an unresolved rift.
Can "rift" be used as a verb?
Yes, "rift" can function as a verb meaning to split apart, though the noun forms describing a physical crack or a relational break are more common in everyday use.
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