kloof

American  

[kloof] / kluf /

noun

1. (in South Africa) a deep glen; ravine.

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kloof British  

/ kluːf /

noun

1. a mountain pass or gorge in southern Africa

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Etymology

Origin of kloof

1725–35; < Afrikaans; akin to cleave ²

Explanation

When visiting South Africa, you might hear the word kloof used for a deep, narrow ravine, gorge, or valley. Some examples of kloofs are Riviersonderend, near Capetown, and Oribi Gorge, near Durban. At the bottom of a kloof, there is usually a river that carved through the rock to form the gorge. Kloofing is an adventure sport in which people follow the river's path through the kloof — hiking, swimming, jumping from rocks into river pools, and rappelling down waterfalls or steep rock faces. You can go kloofing in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve near the town of Kloof, named for its deep gorges. The word kloof is from Afrikaans, a language related to Dutch, and one of the official languages of South Africa.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kloof

After two hundred yards of this narrow ravine, the kloof suddenly turned at a right angle and then broadened out into an open valley about half a mile long.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

A moment later and they were out of the kloof, and riding at full speed across the open.

From The Curse of Carne's Hold A Tale of Adventure by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

There’s a kloof within walkable distance that well repays the effort.

From The Stronger Influence by Young, F.E. Mills

If, however, they rode straight up the kloof they would probably drive the game right over the hills, where to follow would be difficult and shooting not easy.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

Another mile of this canal-like kloof brought us to an opening, and here a most singular sight lay before my vision.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.