cleft: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, technical
Quick answer
What does “cleft” mean?
A natural opening or split, especially in rock or in the human body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A natural opening or split, especially in rock or in the human body.
1) (n) A split or division in a group or organization. 2) (adj) Split or divided. 3) (linguistics) A construction that emphasizes part of a sentence (e.g., "It was John who left").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though 'cleft palate' is the universal medical term.
Connotations
Slightly more literary in general use in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in everyday speech in both regions, primarily found in technical/geological/medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cleft” in a Sentence
[BE] cleft in two[HAVE] a cleft [in NP][STAND] in a cleftVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cleft” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Archaic) The old oak was cleft by lightning.
American English
- (Archaic/Poetic) He cleft the log with a single blow.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; rarely used)
American English
- (Not standard; rarely used)
adjective
British English
- He has a distinctly cleft chin.
- The cleft rock provided shelter.
American English
- The surgeon repaired the cleft palate.
- A cleft piece of wood.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possible metaphor: 'a cleft in the leadership'.
Academic
Common in geology, medicine (cleft palate/lip), biology, and linguistics.
Everyday
Very rare except in specific terms like 'cleft chin'.
Technical
Standard term in medicine, dentistry, geology, and syntax.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cleft”
- Using 'cleft' for a man-made cut (use 'incision', 'cut').
- Pronouncing the 'p' in 'cleft palate' (it's silent).
- Confusing 'cleft' (noun/adj) with 'cleaved' (verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a C1-level word, used mostly in technical, medical, or literary contexts.
A 'cleft' is typically deeper, narrower, and more defined than a 'crack', which can be superficial.
Yes, but it is archaic or poetic ('cleave, cleft, cleft'). The modern verb is 'cleave' or simply 'split'.
A congenital condition where the roof of the mouth (palate) has a split or opening.
A natural opening or split, especially in rock or in the human body.
Cleft is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Cleft: in British English it is pronounced /klɛft/, and in American English it is pronounced /klɛft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in a cleft stick (UK: in a difficult situation with no good choices)”
- “cleft sentence (linguistics)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLIFF that has been split (cleft) by an earthquake.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVISION IS A PHYSICAL SPLIT (e.g., 'a cleft in public opinion').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'cleft sentence' primarily used?