# rift

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɪft/ · frequency rank #12,316

## Definitions
1. A chasm or fissure.
2. A lack of cohesion; a state of conflict, incompatibility, or emotional distance.
3. A break in the clouds, fog, mist etc., which allows light through.
4. A shallow place in a stream; a ford.

## Etymology
From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin; akin to Danish rift, Norwegian Bokmål rift (“breach”), Old Norse rífa (“to tear”). More at rive.

## Easily confused with
- **RT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rt)
- **Rio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rio)
- **rip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rip)
- **rig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rig)
- **rim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rim)
- **rot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rot)
- **rin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rin)
- **rut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rut)
- **rit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rit)
- **risk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-risk)
- **ring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-ring)
- **rise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rise)
- **root** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-root)
- **riot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-riot)
- **Rita** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rita)
- **rust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rust)
- **ripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-ripe)
- **rite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rite)
- **rink** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rink)
- **rigs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rift-vs-rigs)

## Common misspellings (6)
`irft`, `rfit`, `rifft`, `riftt`, `ritf`, `rrift`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rift