😱 Very suspenseful 🏞️ At cliff edge ⏳ A suspense moment

cliffhanging

5.9

At the edge of a cliff and hanging over a steep drop

adjective
/ˈklɪfˌhæŋɪŋ/

: precipitado

They built their house in a cliffhanging spot overlooking the valley below.

Examples

We enjoyed the cliffhanging views from the top.
The cliffhanging rock formations were breathtaking.
The ancient castle had a cliffhanging view that attracted many tourists.
Photographers love the cliffhanging location for its breathtaking scenery.
They built their house in a cliffhanging spot overlooking the valley below.
The ancient castle had a cliffhanging view that attracted many tourists.
Photographers love the cliffhanging location for its breathtaking scenery.

Synonyms

precipitous

vscliffhanging

6 7.7

A very steep slope like a cliff that is dangerous to climb

is about being positioned at an edge and appearing dramatic or precarious

Antonyms

safe

∞ 1.0

Not likely to be harmed or in danger

stable

473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

How Precarious

cliffhanging

5.9

precarious

47 7.6

exposed

1 3.4

stable

473 2.3

Surface Forms

cliffhanging positive

Morphology

cliffhanging = cliff + hanging (transparent) = cliff + hang + ing

This sense is a literal composition of 'cliff' + 'hanging' meaning 'positioned at the edge of a cliff', so the meaning follows directly from the parts.

Etymology

Cliffhanging comes from the literal idea of something 'hanging' over a cliff, like a house or path at the edge, so it means 'positioned at the edge of a cliff'.