ravine
C1Formal or literary. Common in descriptive, geographical, and adventure contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A deep, narrow, and steep-sided gorge or valley, typically one carved by running water.
In some contexts, any significant, steeply sloped depression in a landscape, implying difficulty of traversal. Can be used metaphorically to describe a deep division or separation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often connotes rugged, wild, or difficult terrain. Smaller than a canyon but larger and steeper than a gully. Suggests a natural, eroded feature rather than a man-made trench.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The term is equally common in geographical and literary contexts in both variants.
Connotations
Similar connotations of wilderness and natural erosion. Slightly more common in North American geographical writing due to the prevalence of such features.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; a standard, well-known geographical term in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/adj] ravine + [verb] (e.g., *The deep ravine cut through the landscape*).[Subject] + [verb] + [prep] the ravine (e.g., *They climbed down into the ravine*).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “*The* Great Ravine (used in names of specific geographical features).”
- “No common idioms; it's primarily a literal term.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Potential in tourism or land development contexts.
Academic
Common in geography, geology, ecology, and environmental studies.
Everyday
Used in hiking, travel, and descriptive contexts, but not a daily high-frequency word.
Technical
Precise geographical and geological term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The river has been ravining the limestone for millennia.
- The landscape was deeply ravined by glacial meltwater.
American English
- Erosion ravined the hillside over centuries.
- The area is heavily ravined and difficult to farm.
adverb
British English
- The land fell away ravine-deep.
- Not applicable as standard usage.
American English
- The path dropped ravine-steep on the other side.
- Not applicable as standard usage.
adjective
British English
- The ravine-like features of the coastline were striking.
- They faced a ravine-crossed journey.
American English
- The ravine-cut terrain slowed the advance.
- We followed a ravine-bottom trail.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We walked next to a deep ravine.
- Don't go near the edge of the ravine!
- A small bridge allowed us to cross the rocky ravine.
- The path led down into a shadowy ravine filled with trees.
- The trail followed the rim of a steep-sided ravine carved by an ancient river.
- They had to find a safe route to descend the sheer walls of the ravine.
- Geological surveys indicate the ravine was formed during the last glacial period.
- The political debate had opened up a ravine of disagreement between the two factions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RAVEN flying down into a deep, dark RAVINE. The words rhyme and share a 'dark, deep' image.
Conceptual Metaphor
A ravine is a wound in the earth. / A ravine is a barrier or division.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'овраг' (ravine/gully) which is smaller and 'ущелье' (gorge) which is larger. 'Ravine' typically sits between them in size.
- Avoid using 'каньон' (canyon) as a direct synonym; a canyon is generally larger and wider.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'ravinne' or 'ravene'.
- Confusing with 'river' (a body of water, not the landform).
- Using 'valley' synonymously (a valley is broader and gentler).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of a 'ravine'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a scale and context difference. A ravine is typically smaller, narrower, and steeper-sided than a gorge, which is in turn often smaller than a canyon. Ravines are usually formed by stream erosion, canyons by major rivers, and gorges can be formed by various processes including water and glacial activity.
It is a known word but not high-frequency in daily conversation. It's most common in descriptive writing, geography, hiking contexts, and literature.
Yes, but it is rare and very literary. The verb 'to ravine' means to form or become full of ravines, or to flow like a torrent.
The pronunciation is virtually identical in both standard accents: /rəˈviːn/. The stress is on the second syllable.