kloof
Definition
- Noun:
- A deep, narrow valley or ravine: In South African geography, a "kloof" refers to a steep-sided, wooded valley or gorge, often carved by a stream or river.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- We hiked through the kloof, surrounded by dense forest and towering cliffs. (A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.)
- The river had carved a kloof over thousands of years. (A ravine formed by water erosion.)
Advanced Usage
- "To follow the kloof": to travel along or through a deep valley.
- The explorers followed the kloof to reach the plateau. (They used the ravine as a route.)
Variants and Related Words
- Kloofing (n): the recreational activity of hiking or exploring kloofs.
- Kloofing is a popular outdoor activity in South Africa. (The practice of navigating steep ravines.)
Synonyms
- Ravine: a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides.
- Gully: a small, narrow valley formed by running water.
- Gorge: a narrow valley with steep, rocky walls.
Related Idioms
- "A kloof of the mind": a poetic or metaphorical expression for a deep, hidden thought or memory.
- He retreated into a kloof of the mind, pondering his past. (A deep, secluded mental space.)