English vocabulary · B2
Rift
/rɪft/ · n., v.
It means a serious break or split between people or things. Something that was whole is now divided.
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Example sentences
- A rift grew between the two friends after the fight.
- The rift in their team made them lose.
Word origin and roots
from Old Norse
- rift — split (from Old Norse)
Synonyms and nuances
- SPLIT — a clean break (Sudden & Physical)
- BREACH — a serious break in trust (Formal & Legal)
- DIVIDE — a lasting separation (Ongoing & Deep)
Similar words
- split
- breach
- divide
Lesson notes
Rift. It means a serious break or split between people or things. Something that was whole is now divided.
Similar words are split, breach, and divide. Use rift when a relationship or group is slowly breaking apart.
A rift grew between the two friends after the fight. The rift in their team made them lose.
From Old Norse. Rift- means to split. A crack that pulls two things apart — that is a rift.