A1 noun Neutral

cliff

/klɪf/

A cliff is a very steep or vertical face of rock, often located at the edge of the sea or a mountain. It is usually high and can be dangerous to stand near the edge.

Examples

3 of 5
1

We sat on the cliff and watched the birds flying over the sea.

We sat on the high rock edge and watched the birds above the water.

2

The geological survey examined the stability of the limestone cliff.

The rock study checked if the tall rock wall was safe and strong.

3

Stay back! You're standing way too close to the cliff edge.

Move away! You are standing too near the dangerous drop.

Word Family

Noun
cliff
Adjective
cliffy
Related
cliffhanger
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'f' in 'cliff' as looking like a person standing at the edge of a drop.

Quick Quiz

The hikers stopped at the top of the ___ to look at the ocean below.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cliff

Examples

1

We sat on the cliff and watched the birds flying over the sea.

everyday

We sat on the high rock edge and watched the birds above the water.

2

The geological survey examined the stability of the limestone cliff.

formal

The rock study checked if the tall rock wall was safe and strong.

3

Stay back! You're standing way too close to the cliff edge.

informal

Move away! You are standing too near the dangerous drop.

4

The verticality of the cliff face suggests significant tectonic uplift in this region.

academic

The straight up-and-down shape of the rock shows the ground moved up long ago.

5

The company’s profits fell off a cliff after the new regulations were introduced.

business

The business's money dropped very quickly after the new rules started.

Word Family

Noun
cliff
Adjective
cliffy
Related
cliffhanger

Common Collocations

steep cliff a rock wall that goes almost straight up
cliff edge the very top part where the land ends and drops down
sea cliff a high rock wall located right next to the ocean
chalk cliff a high white rock wall made of soft stone
climb a cliff to go up a steep rock wall using your hands and feet

Common Phrases

cliffhanger

a story or situation that ends with great suspense

fall off a cliff

to suddenly and quickly decrease in value or amount

over the cliff

into a very dangerous or disastrous situation

Often Confused With

cliff vs hill

A hill is a rounded, sloping piece of land, while a cliff is a sharp, vertical drop of rock.

cliff vs mountain

A mountain is an entire large landform; a cliff is just one very steep side or part of a mountain.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'cliff' when describing a high, vertical drop. It is most commonly used in the context of coastal scenery or hiking in the mountains.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'mountain' when they specifically mean the steep edge. Remember that a cliff is specifically the vertical part, not the whole peak.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'f' in 'cliff' as looking like a person standing at the edge of a drop.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English word 'clif', which has Germanic roots shared with Dutch and German words for a rock or a bank.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (singular: cliff, plural: cliffs) Often used with prepositions like 'on the cliff' or 'off the cliff' Commonly functions as a noun adjunct in 'cliff edge'
🌍

Cultural Context

The White Cliffs of Dover are a famous cultural and historical symbol of the United Kingdom's coastline.

Quick Quiz

The hikers stopped at the top of the ___ to look at the ocean below.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cliff

More nature words

rainforest

A1

A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.

tundra

A1

A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.

wetland

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A wetland is an area of land that is always wet or covered with shallow water. It is a very important place where many different plants and animals, like birds and frogs, live.

coral reef

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A coral reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletons of small sea animals called corals. They are usually found in warm, shallow parts of the ocean and provide a home for many types of fish.

vegetation

A1

Vegetation refers to all the plants and trees that grow in a particular area. It is used to describe the green cover of the earth, like forests or grass.

foliage

A1

Foliage refers to the leaves of a plant or tree, considered as a group. It is often used to describe the overall appearance and mass of greenery in a landscape or forest.

canopy

A1

A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.

photosynthesis

A1

Photosynthesis is the natural process that green plants use to make their own food. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy and release oxygen into the air.

pollination

A1

Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another to help plants make seeds and fruit. This is usually done by insects like bees or by the wind.

seedling

A1

A seedling is a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It usually has a small green stem and its first few tiny leaves.

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