cleave

¹ American  

[kleev] / kliv /

verb (used without object)

cleaved, clave, cleaved, cleaving

1. to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed byto ).

2. to remain faithful (usually followed byto ).

   to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.

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cleave ² American  

[kleev] / kliv /

verb (used with object)

cleft, cleaved, clove, cleft, cleaved, cloven, cleaving

1. to split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, especially along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.

   Synonyms:

   rive, rend, halve

2. to make by or as if by cutting.

   to cleave a path through the wilderness.

3. to penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.).

   The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.

4. to cut off; sever.

   to cleave a branch from a tree.

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verb (used without object)

cleft, cleaved, clove, cleft, cleaved, cloven, cleaving

1. to part or split, especially along a natural line of division.

2. to penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually followed bythrough ).

cleave ¹ British  

/ kliːv /

verb

1. to split or cause to split, esp along a natural weakness

2. (tr) to make by or as if by cutting

   to cleave a path

3. to penetrate or traverse

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cleave ² British  

/ kliːv /

verb

1. to cling or adhere

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Other Word Forms

• cleavability noun
• cleavable adjective
• cleavingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cleave¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English cleven, Old English cleofian, clifian, cognate with Old High German klebēn, German kleben

Origin of cleave²

First recorded before 950; Middle English cleven, Old English clēofan, cognate with Old High German klioban, German klieben, Old Norse kljūfa; akin to Greek glýphein “to carve,” Latin glūbere “to peel”

Explanation

Cleave, a verb, has two very different meanings. It can describe cutting or splitting something apart with a sharp instrument, or — oddly enough — it can describe sticking to something like glue. To cleave or not to cleave, that is the question. Cleave can refer to being in close contact, to staying really, really close to someone or something: "If you are walking in the pitch-black woods without a flashlight, you want to cleave to the person in front of you." On the other hand, it can mean to split apart with a sharp tool — which is not the action you want to happen while walking in the woods. We've seen that movie.

Example Sentences

But once you’ve sorted these details, you and your arborist can make your trees safer, healthier, more lovable, and less likely to cleave.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

They are free to rein in the state legislature as long as they cleave reasonably close to their state constitutions and do not step outside interpretation into pure improvisation.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2025

I came here as a child and as I look around me now, I realize I have almost no memories that predate my arrival and few bonds of affection that cleave so tightly.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

The Scottish Premiership leaders enjoyed almost 70% possession but struggled to cleave out clear chances against a Croatian side hampered by injuries.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

She glanced out of the window in time to see her father cleave a log into three separate pieces, which he then heaved onto a growing woodpile.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• hew
• sunder