cliff
Sheer rock face
A cliff is a steep rock face, especially one at the edge of the sea or forming one side of a mountain.
The word evokes height and danger—falling from a cliff is usually fatal.
A cliffhanger is a story that leaves you in suspense, as if dangling from a cliff's edge.
The path wound along the cliff above the ocean. (Capitalized Cliff is a given name.)
Scaling steep natural surfaces
- rappellingRope-controlled descent technique
- abseilControlled rope descent
- belayAnchor a rope
- pitonDriven climbing anchor
carabiner · handhold · foothold · ledge · crag · face · free solo · bouldering
Steep slope dividing elevations
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- gorgeDeep, narrow valley
ravine · bluff · promontory · plateau · ridge · cuesta · spur · tor
Rising at sharp angle
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
- toweringOf imposing height
- heightVertical extent upward
- faceHead's anterior surface
ascent · gradient · incline · vertical · lofty · imposing · abrupt · drop
Calculated false front
- headlandCoastal land jutting seaward
- promontoryElevated land jutting waterward
- coveSheltered coastal indentation
- shorelineLand-water boundary
tide · waves · surf · seabirds · lighthouse · erosion · beach · ocean
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- landslideMass of earth falling
scree · undercutting · collapse · retreat · limestone · sandstone · granite · basalt
Deep, narrow valley
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- ravineDeep, narrow valley
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
- riverbankLand bordering a stream
meander · rapids · confluence · overlook · limestone · carved · slot canyon · river gorge
Miss or commanding view
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- vantagePosition of advantage
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
breathtaking · spectacular · horizon · lookout · observation · scenic · sweeping · majestic
precipice
Steep rock face
perilous · vertigo · heights · fear · plunge · drop-off · fall · ledge · warning · guardrail
rock climbing
Scaling steep natural surfaces
- rappellingRope-controlled descent technique
- abseilControlled rope descent
- belayAnchor a rope
piton · carabiner · handhold · foothold · ledge · crag · face · free solo · bouldering · anchor
escarpment
Steep slope dividing elevations
gorge · ravine · bluff · promontory · plateau · ridge · cuesta · spur · tor · precipice
steep
Rising at sharp angle
face · ascent · gradient · incline · vertical · lofty · imposing · abrupt · drop · elevation
bluff
Calculated false front
- headlandCoastal land jutting seaward
- promontoryElevated land jutting waterward
- coveSheltered coastal indentation
shoreline · tide · waves · surf · seabirds · lighthouse · erosion · beach · ocean · maritime
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
landslide · scree · undercutting · collapse · retreat · limestone · sandstone · granite · basalt · chalk
gorge
Deep, narrow valley
riverbank · meander · rapids · confluence · overlook · limestone · carved · slot canyon · river gorge · plunge pool
overlook
Miss or commanding view
scenery · breathtaking · spectacular · horizon · lookout · observation · scenic · sweeping · majestic · awe
cliffgentle slope
Gradual land elevation
plain · flatland · flat ground · plateau · rolling hills
- fall off a cliffDescend suddenly from height
- cliff dwellingsHomes built into rockfaces
- cliff hangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- fiscal cliffScheduled austerity convergence point
- cliff edgeSheer drop's boundary
- cliff divingJumping from heights into water
cliffs, cliffhanger, clifftop, cliffside, cliffsides, clifftops, clifflike, cliff face, cliff faces