chasm

/ˈkæzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkæzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈka-zəm/ (ame, mw)

chasm — noun

  • chasmsingular
  • chasmsplural

1. a long, narrow split that drops far down through stone, glacier ice, or solid gr

1.名詞C1
釋義

a long, narrow split that drops far down through stone, glacier ice, or solid ground — steep enough that someone could fall a long way inside.

例句

Mizuki peered into the chasm and could not see the bottom in the dim morning light.

peer into the chasm — typical verb collocation

A narrow chasm split the glacier from end to end after the long summer.

subject pattern: a chasm + verb of motion

同義詞
  • gorge

    a deep, narrow valley between hills, usually with a river inside

  • ravine

    a deep, narrow valley cut by running water; less dramatic than a chasm

  • crevasse

    specifically a deep crack in a glacier or thick ice

  • abyss

    literary; suggests a bottomless drop, often used figuratively

文法句型

a chasm in [rock/ice/ground]

用法筆記

Often used with prepositions of location (in / into / across / over). Subject of strong visual verbs like 'open', 'split', 'yawn'.

常見錯誤

❌There was a small chasm in the road.
✅There was a small crack in the road.
💡a chasm is always very deep, never small or shallow.

2. an extremely wide gap in beliefs, attitudes, or feelings separating one side fro

2.名詞C1
釋義

an extremely wide gap in beliefs, attitudes, or feelings separating one side from another — so great that bringing the two together feels nearly impossible.

例句

A growing chasm between the older voters and the young left the village council unable to agree on anything.

chasm between A and B — core pattern

Zuri tried to bridge the chasm between her two cousins after years of silence at family dinners.

bridge the chasm — typical verb collocation

同義詞
  • gulf

    very close in meaning; both suggest a wide, hard-to-cross divide

  • divide

    more neutral; commonly used for political or social splits

  • rift

    stresses the breaking of a former bond, often between friends or allies

反義詞
  • common ground

    shared beliefs or interests that bring people together

文法句型

a chasm between [group A] and [group B]

用法筆記

Almost always takes 'between X and Y'. Suggests a difference so wide it feels permanent — stronger than 'gap' or 'difference'.

常見錯誤

❌There is a small chasm between our opinions.
✅There is a small gap between our opinions.
💡'chasm' implies a very large, hard-to-cross divide, never a minor one.