Cliff plural is cliffs. Usually singular nouns that end in –f (and are sibilants) take on –ves to show a plural noun. The word cliff presents an exception to the rule, and simply takes on an –s (the same as any regular plural noun form in English).
The majestic cliffs overlooked the crashing waves.
The high cliffves were a challenge to climb.
Some examples of words that are similar to cliff in that they present exceptions with this rule includes roofs and proofs. Cliffs, roofs, proofs, all do not follow the typical ‘f/ves’ plural noun convention.
What’s the definition of cliff?
The dictionary defines the word cliff as, “a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice.”
Nouns that end in –f/-fe
As it turns out, some wordsmiths eons ago (which I have no existent knowledge of), created this plural noun form as a rule to to avoid the mouthful of combining ‘f’ and ‘s’ sounds. Can’t blame them for that. For the most part, it is fair to assume that nouns ending in ‘f’ or ‘fe’ modify to a ‘ves’ as a plural. Each of the following are considered irregular in English, since they do not take on -s/-es as regular plural nouns do.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| chief | chiefs |
| cliff | cliffs |
| thief | thieves (or thiefs) |
| roof | roofs |
| hoof | hooves (or hoofs) |
Memorize the plural form “cliffs” as an exception to the general rule for nouns ending in “-f.” Creating flashcards with both the singular and plural forms can be helpful.
Cliff (sing. n.) in context
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| <>Other | The chalk cliffs of southern England.
A castle perched high on the cliffs above the river. A long line of cliffs surrounding the bay. Crumbling cliffs. The cliffs fall away to the north. |
Synonyms of cliff
- barranca
- barranco
- bluff
- crages
- escarpment
- palisade
- precipice
- scar
- scarp
Origin of cliff
Etymonline on the origin of cliff:
Old English clif “steep and rugged face of a rocky mass, promontory, steep slope,” from Proto-Germanic *kliban (source also of Old Saxon clif, Old Norse klif, Middle Dutch klippe, Dutch klip, Old High German klep, German Klipp.e “cliff, promontory, steep rock”).
Clift has been a variant spelling since 15c. and was common in early Modern English. It represents an influence by or merger with clift, a variant of cleft (n.). Cliff-dweller first attested 1879, American English, in reference to aboriginal tribes of the U.S. Southwest who built dwellings in natural recesses in cliffs.
However, remember that exceptions exist, and memorization is key for mastering these irregularities. Consider “knife” (knives) and “wife” (wives) – these follow the -f/-fe to -ves rule consistently. Contrast this with words like “belief” (beliefs) and “chief” (chiefs), which simply add an -s. The best approach is to encounter these words frequently in context. Reading widely and actively noting the plural forms will solidify your understanding. For instance, you might see a sentence like, “The majestic cliffs overlooked the crashing waves,” reinforcing the correct plural of “cliff.” Similarly, a sentence such as “Several roofs were damaged in the storm” demonstrates the plural of “roof.” Regularly reviewing lists of irregular plural nouns, alongside contextual examples, proves highly effective in overcoming this common grammatical hurdle.
Practice: Cliff or cliffs
The waves crashed against the rocky ______ below.
He stood on the edge of the ______ and looked down at the sea.
The coastline is famous for its towering white ______.
Be careful not to get too close to the ______ edge.
Puffins often build their nests on the steep ______.
FAQs
What is the plural form of the word “cliff”?
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Does “cliff” follow the -f to -ves plural rule?
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What are some other words like “cliff”?
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How do I use “cliffs” in a sentence?
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What does the word cliff mean?
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Sources
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Etymonline, cliff.
Yash, D. "How to Use Cliff Plural (Explained, With Examples)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/cliff-plural/.
