Cliff

¹ American  

[klif] / klɪf /

noun

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

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cliff ² American  

[klif] / klɪf /

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.

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cliff British  

/ klɪf /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• clifflike adjective
• cliffy adjective

Etymology

Origin of cliff

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

Example Sentences

The last time the Globes rolled around, we were standing on the edge of a cliff; now we’re free falling into a seemingly bottomless pit.

From Los Angeles Times

The biggest winners share another thing in common: Their businesses look set to keep growing, without an imminent patent cliff.

From The Wall Street Journal

Baker Mayfield was in the early MVP race but the Buccaneers have fallen off a cliff since with four straight defeats making it seven losses in eight games.

From BBC

Photos from the site of the crash showed rescue workers helping passengers alight the train, which had fallen off the rail tracks and partly tilted over the side of a cliff.

From BBC

In late October, the performers, including the famed cliff divers, went on a three-day strike, citing unsafe working conditions and stalled negotiations over their first contract.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bluff
• crag
• precipice
• wall