Chasm Meaning
/ˈkæzəm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA deep, steep-sided rift, gap or fissure; a gorge or abyss.
nounA large difference of opinion.
Sentence Examples
The chasm is twenty feet wide and very deep.
He's standing on the edge of the chasm.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The earthquake created a deep ____ in the ground, swallowing the entire road ahead.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A deep ____ separated the two mountains, making travel difficult.
Word Origin & History
From Latin chasma, from Ancient Greek χάσμα (khásma, “abyss, cleft”). Doublet of chasma. Compare schism. Displaced native Old English swelh and Old English elh.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But always and ever there is a yawning chasm below[.]"
— 2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 1:
"Chelsea may not have regarded themselves as title rivals to City over the whole season but this was a harrowing illustration of the current chasm between the two sides and made for disturbing viewing for the Italian."
— 2019 February 10, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 6-0 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The earthquake created a deep ____ in the ground, swallowing the entire road ahead.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A deep ____ separated the two mountains, making travel difficult.