crevice vs. crevasse

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A crevice is a narrow crack or opening, especially in rock or a wall; a crevasse is a deep, open crack in glacial ice.

   Grammar: Used to compare and contrast two similar-sounding nouns; 'crevice' is for solid surfaces, 'crevasse' for ice.

   Patterns

   • a crevice in something
   • a crevasse in something
   • crevice vs. crevasse

   A small plant grew from a crevice in the rock.

   The climber fell into a hidden crevasse on the glacier.

   Don't confuse a crevice in a wall with a crevasse in ice.

Common combinations

rock crevice

Lizards often hide in rock crevices.

deep crevasse

The deep crevasse was impossible to cross.

crevice in the wall

Water seeped through a crevice in the wall.

glacial crevasse

Glacial crevasses can be dangerous for hikers.

Synonyms and how they differ

crack

Crack is a general word for any narrow opening; crevice is more specific to rock or walls, and crevasse is only for ice.

fissure

Fissure is a technical term for a long narrow crack, often in rock or the ground; it can overlap with both crevice and crevasse but is more formal.

Commonly confused: crevice vs. crevasse or crevasse? crevice vs. crevasse or crevice?

Practice

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