Meaning & use
rugged cliff
Last updated
UK/ˈrʌɡɪd klɪf/
US/ˈrʌɡɪd klɪf/
Meaning
nouncountable
A cliff with a rough, uneven surface, often with rocks sticking out.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a rugged cliff' or 'rugged cliffs'.
Patterns
- a rugged cliff
- rugged cliffs
The hikers carefully climbed the rugged cliff.
From the boat, we could see the rugged cliffs along the coast.
The rugged cliff offered a challenge to even experienced climbers.
Word forms
| plural | rugged cliffs |
|---|
Common combinations
- steep rugged cliff
- The steep rugged cliff was difficult to scale.
- dramatic rugged cliffs
- The coastline is famous for its dramatic rugged cliffs.
- rugged cliff face
- The rugged cliff face was full of cracks and ledges.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rocky cliff
- Similar, but 'rocky' emphasizes being made of rock, while 'rugged' emphasizes the rough, uneven surface.
- craggy cliff
- Very close in meaning; 'craggy' often suggests many sharp, projecting rocks.
Opposites
smooth cliff
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rugged cliff' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Rugged' means rough and uneven, so a rugged cliff has sharp rocks and uneven edges. The other options describe smooth or flat surfaces, which contradict 'rugged'.
Make it your own
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