clough
Definition
- Noun:
- A steep-sided valley or ravine: "clough" refers to a narrow, deep valley or gorge, often with a stream running through it, typically found in hilly or mountainous terrain.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The hikers followed the path through the clough, with steep cliffs on either side. (A narrow, deep valley.)
- A small waterfall cascaded down the clough after the heavy rain. (A steep-sided ravine with water flow.)
Advanced Usage
"a wooded clough": a clough that is densely covered with trees.
- The ancient oak trees lined the wooded clough, creating a cool, shaded retreat. (A steep valley filled with trees.)
"to descend into a clough": to go down into a steep valley.
- The trail descended into a clough, where the air grew damp and cool. (To move into a narrow valley.)
Variants and Related Words
Clough is a specific geographical term; it does not commonly have direct variants in standard English. However, related words include:
- Ravine (n): a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides.
- The river carved a ravine over centuries. (A deep, narrow valley.)
Gully (n): a small, narrow channel formed by water erosion.
- Rainwater created a gully along the hillside. (A small erosional channel.)
Synonyms
Ravine: a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides.
- The stream flowed through a ravine. (A deep, narrow valley.)
Gorge: a narrow valley between hills or mountains, often with a river.
- The hike followed the gorge for miles. (A steep-sided river valley.)
Gully: a small, narrow channel formed by water erosion, less deep than a clough.
- Water rushed down the gully after the storm. (A small erosional channel.)
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "clough." The word is primarily a geographical term used in descriptive contexts.
Note
- "Clough" is a relatively rare or dialectal word in modern English, often found in place names (e.g., Clough Lane, Clough Wood) or in regional literature from Northern England. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.