cleft

/kleft/ (bre, ipa) · [klˈɛft] /kleft/ (ame, ipa) · [klˈɛft] /ˈkleft How to pronounce cleft (audio)/ (ame, mw)

cleft — noun

1. a narrow gap created when rock, earth, or another hard surface opens along a spl

1.名詞C1
釋義

a narrow gap created when rock, earth, or another hard surface opens along a split

例句

After the storm, Kabir found a narrow cleft in the sea cliff.

a cleft in + natural surface

A small stream disappeared into a cleft between two rocks.

同義詞
  • crevice

    usually suggests a very narrow space that you can put a finger or tool into

  • fissure

    more formal or technical, especially in geology

  • crack

    the broad everyday word for a broken line or opening

文法句型

a cleft in + rock/ground

a cleft between + two surfaces

用法筆記

Usually refers to a fairly deep natural opening rather than a small everyday crack. It often appears with prepositions such as 'in' and 'between' to show exactly where the gap is.

常見錯誤

❌There was a cleft in the bathroom tile.
✅There was a crack in the bathroom tile.
💡'cleft' usually refers to a larger opening in rock, ground, or another broad surface, not a small household crack.

2. a V-shaped hollow or an unusual gap in a body part or another surface, such as a

2.名詞C2
釋義

a V-shaped hollow or an unusual gap in a body part or another surface, such as a chin or the roof of the mouth

例句

The baby was born with a cleft in the roof of the mouth.

medical context: cleft in the roof of the mouth

A deep cleft in Rodrigo's chin shows in every family photo.

同義詞
  • hollow

    focuses on a sunken shape rather than a split

  • fissure

    more technical and often used in medical writing

  • notch

    usually a smaller cut or V-shaped mark in an edge or surface

文法句型

a cleft in + body part

a cleft between + two parts

用法筆記

This sense often appears in anatomy or medical contexts, but it can also describe a visible hollow such as one in a chin. Distinguish it from noun/1, which is mainly for openings in rock, ground, or another large surface.

常見錯誤

❌Rodrigo has a crack in his chin.
✅Rodrigo has a cleft in his chin.
💡For a natural hollow or split line in a body part, 'cleft' is the more usual word.

cleft — adjective