Search Dictionary
Definition of rift

rift

/rɪft/
rift

Plural:rifts
•
Adjective:riftless
•
Past Simple:rifted
•
Past Participle:rifted
•
Present Participle:rifting
JUMP TO:

rift Lexical Profile

rift Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A serious break or division in friendly relations between people, groups, or nations.

Example

"The policy disagreement caused a deep rift within the committee that took months to heal."


2

A crack, split, or narrow opening in rock, earth, or clouds; specifically in geology, an elongated trough or valley formed by the faulting and divergence of tectonic plates.

Example

"Geologists studied the volcanic activity along the massive continental rift."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for rift
Antonyms
View all antonyms for rift

• verb

1

To tear or split apart, or to form fissures, cracks, or geological faults.

Example

"Over millions of years, the ancient supercontinent began to rift apart, creating a new ocean basin."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for rift
Antonyms
View all antonyms for rift

• Rhymes for rift

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old Norse 'ript' or early Scandinavian equivalents meaning a breach or cleft, sharing the same Germanic root as the verb 'rive' (to tear apart).

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rift. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rift
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.