cliff

¹

[klif]

noun

1. a high steep face of a rock.

   Synonyms: crag, ledge, promontory, bluff

2. a critical point or situation beyond which something bad or undesirable may occur.

   The committee is right up to the cliff with no deal in sight.

Cliff

²

[klif]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Clifford or Clifton.

cliff

/ klɪf /

noun

1. a steep high rock face, esp one that runs along the seashore and has the strata exposed

Other Word Forms

• clifflike adjective
• cliffy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cliff¹

before 900; Middle English clif, Old English, cognate with Dutch, Low German, Old Norse klif

Word History and Origins

Origin of cliff¹

Old English clif; related to Old Norse kleif, Middle Low German klēf, Dutch klif; see _cleave ²

Example Sentences

He smiled, taking in the Harley bikers parked near the cliffs and the men and women strolling nearby sporting Asir’s traditional garlands made of orange marigold, dill and artemisia, a gray-green plant similar to sage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It comes after warnings the youngest care leavers face a "devastating care cliff", which sees them losing support when they turn 18 and leave care, as well as difficulties with joblessness.

Read more on BBC

With everybody back Stateside and topside, save for Max’s consciousness, the band is gearing up for one last stand on the cliffs of Hell.

Read more on Salon

She could make the existing discounts permanent and remove cliff edges that see small businesses' rates bills shoot up when they expand.

Read more on BBC

The internet wasn’t a huge job killer overall, but for some occupations, it wasn’t a gentle decline—it was a cliff.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bluff 
• crag 
• precipice 
• wall