rift

[ rift ]

noun

1. an opening made by splitting, cleaving, etc.; fissure; cleft; chink.
2. an open space, as in a forest or cloud mass, or a clear interval.
3. a break in friendly relations:

   a rift between two people; a rift between two nations.

   Synonyms: estrangement, falling-out, rupture, breach

4. a difference in opinion, belief, or interest that causes such a break in friendly relations.
5. Geology.
   1. a fault.
   2. a graben of regional extent.
6. the plane or direction along which a log or mass of granite can most easily be split.
7. wood or a piece of wood that has been split radially from a log.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to burst open; split.

rift

¹

/ rɪft /

noun

1. a shallow or rocky part in a stream
2. the backwash from a wave that has just broken

rift

²

/ rɪft /

noun

1. a gap or space made by cleaving or splitting; fissure
2. geology a long narrow zone of faulting resulting from tensional stress in the earth's crust
3. a gap between two cloud masses; break or chink

   he saw the sun through a rift in the clouds

4. a break in friendly relations between people, nations, etc

verb

1. to burst or cause to burst open; split

rift

/ rĭft /

1. A continental rift.
2. A narrow break, crack, or other opening in a rock, usually made by cracking or splitting.

Other Words From

• riftless adjective
• un·rifted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rift¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old Norse ript breaking of an agreement (compare Danish, Norwegian rift cleavage), derivative of rīfa to tear (cognate with rive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of rift¹

C14: from Old Norse rypta ; related to Icelandic ropa to belch

Origin of rift²

C13: from Old Norse; related to Danish rift cleft, Icelandic ript breach of contract

Example Sentences

Hostin cut in with "misogyny" as the answer to that question, leading to a quick rift put to rest by an intervening Whoopi Goldberg.

From Salon

The scandal also caused rifts within Yoon's party, with one leader comparing Ms Kim with Marie Antoinette, the queen of France notorious for her extravagant lifestyle.

From BBC

The rift between Canada and India has raised questions over the impact it could have on the deep trade and immigration ties between both countries.

From BBC

While the family largely agrees on politics, the bigger rift is sports.

From Los Angeles Times

He had seen for himself how a rift between Kenya's top two can lead to government dysfunction after he had fallen out with his former boss Uhuru Kenyatta.

From BBC

Related Words

• breach
• clash
• disagreement
• division
• estrangement
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• rupture
• schism
• split