cluse
/kluz/
"cluse" is a 5-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“cluse” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 5
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A defile or narrow gorge, especially one that cuts transversely through the rock of an otherwise continuous ridge.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | cluse |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| IPA | /kluz/ |
| Letters | 5 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “cluse” sits in English frequency
Rare enough to double-check
cluse is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun, transcribed /kluz/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "A defile or narrow gorge, especially one that cuts transversely through the rock of an otherwise continuous ridge.".
No misspelling variants are generated for cluse in our index, typically a sign the spelling maps closely to how the word sounds. Our dataset records no confusable match here, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.
Etymologically, the entry records: In many cases, italicized as a borrowing of French cluse. In Early Modern texts, possibly a continuation of Middle English cluse, Old English clūse (“narrow pass”). The correct English form is cluse, spelled C-L-U-S-E.
Definition
- 1A defile or narrow gorge, especially one that cuts transversely through the rock of an otherwise continuous ridge.
Etymology
In many cases, italicized as a borrowing of French cluse. In Early Modern texts, possibly a continuation of Middle English cluse, Old English clūse (“narrow pass”).
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Using “cluse”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is C-L-U-S-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Say it as /kluz/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source
Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.