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Meaning & use

sheer cliff face

noun·Advanced

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UK/ˌʃɪə ˈklɪf feɪs/
US/ˌʃɪr ˈklɪf feɪs/

Meaning

  1. nouncountable

    A very steep, almost vertical surface of a cliff.

    Grammar: Countable: 'a sheer cliff face', 'the sheer cliff faces'.

    Patterns

    • a sheer cliff face
    • on a sheer cliff face

    The climbers scaled the sheer cliff face with ropes.

    From the boat, we could see a sheer cliff face rising straight from the sea.

    Erosion has created a sheer cliff face along the coast.

Word forms

pluralsheer cliff faces

Common combinations

climb a sheer cliff face
They climbed a sheer cliff face in record time.
scale a sheer cliff face
Rescue teams scaled the sheer cliff face.
a sheer cliff face drops
The sheer cliff face drops 200 meters to the sea.

Synonyms and how they differ

precipice
A very steep rock face or cliff, often implying danger; 'sheer cliff face' is more descriptive and neutral.
bluff
A cliff with a broad, steep face, especially near a river or coast; less precise about verticality.

Commonly confused: sheer cliff face or shear?

sheer cliff face vs shear

Means to cut, especially wool from sheep, or a cutting force. 'Sheer' here means very steep.

Practice

The castle was built on a ______, making it almost impossible to attack.

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