English · Word Candidate

rift

/ɹɪft/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rifts · rifting · rifted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A chasm or fissure.

Noun

The Grand Canyon is a rift in the Earth's surface, but is smaller than some of the undersea ones.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A lack of cohesion; a state of conflict, incompatibility, or emotional distance.

Noun

My marriage is in trouble: the fight created a rift between us and we can't reconnect.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To form a rift; to split open.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To cleave; to rive; to split.

Verb

to rift an oak

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “rift” mean?

A chasm or fissure.

Is “rift” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.