crevice

American  

[krev-is] / ˈkrɛv ɪs /

noun

• crevices
  plural

1. 

   a crack forming an opening; cleft; rift; fissure.

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crevice British  

/ ˈkrɛvɪs /

noun

1. a narrow fissure or crack; split; cleft

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• creviced
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crevices
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of crevice

1300–50; Middle English crevace < Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to crev ( er ) to crack (< Latin crepāre ) + -ace noun suffix

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Compare meaning

How does crevice compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• crevasse vs. crevice

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Explanation

A crevice is a long, tight space often found on the face of a mountain or other geological formation. A crevice can be large or small, but because it is usually hard reach, it is a great hiding place for all things like reptiles, bugs, and lost climbers. The word crevice often refers to a natural formation, but it can be used to describe any long, narrow space that’s hard to access. If you’ve lost something you might say, “I’m going to look in every crack and crevice,” to describe the search. Chances are you’ll find that lost item in the long narrow space — the crevice — between the cushions of your sofa, along with other things you didn't even know were missing!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crevice crevices

The introduction sits right between poetic and blunt, and this same small, temporal crevice is where the Holbrooke sisters spend their time.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

Researchers from several South American institutions have identified a new species of crevice weaver spider, expanding what scientists know about the Pikelinia genus.

From Science Daily ● May 1, 2026

In 1993 Pope John Paul II formally recognized Israel, and in 2000 he placed a letter of apology for past Jewish suffering in a Western Wall crevice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

I was a “serious yogi,” and to date me would mean respecting my daily practice and being OK with the 3,000 small Ganesha statues tucked into every crevice of my apartment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026

He had analyzed the abortive party and found that a misfortune had crept into every crevice, that bad luck had come up like hives on the evening.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

They are sticky and chewy, each bite of fruit managing to get stuck in between the tightest crevices of your teeth.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

Adam Silverman’s lighting turns red; cracks appear in the floor of Jon Bausor’s set as Catrina pounds on it with her parasol to summon Frida; and dancers dressed as skeletons emerge from the crevices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Also, crevices larger than a quarter-inch must be sealed “to prevent vermin harborage.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

But would the holographic pixels of an A.I.-generated facsimile capture the tiny crevices between my brother’s crooked teeth?

From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2026

He felt it in the tips of his fingers, in the whorls and crevices of his outer skin.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

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Related Words

• abyss
• chink
• crevasse
• fissure
• slit

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