chasm

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈkæzəm/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkæzəm/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A deep opening or fissure in the earth's surface; a gorge or abyss.; A profound difference or gap between people, groups, ideas, or things that seems impossible to bridge.; A deep, empty space or void; an immeasurable depth.; A significant interruption or break in continuity.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: chasms

Collocations

deep chasmwide chasmyawning chasmbridge the chasmvast chasm

Synonyms

abyssgorgeravinegulffissurecanyon

Commonly confused

chaos
EN: 'Chaos' means complete disorder or confusion; 'chasm' is a deep physical gap or a great difference between things.
canyon
EN: 'Canyon' is a large valley with steep sides, often with a river; 'chasm' emphasizes depth and a sense of a dangerous or impassable gap.

Spelling tips

EN: The 's' in 'chasm' is silent (pronounced /ˈkæzəm/), so do not let the spelling mislead you into pronouncing it with an /s/ sound.

💬 Examples

  1. The hikers peered over the edge of the chasm, unable to see the bottom.

  2. There is a growing chasm between the rich and the poor in many countries.

  3. The cave opened into a vast chasm of darkness below.

  4. The war created a chasm in the cultural development of the region.