chasm

[kaz-uhm]

noun

1. a yawning fissure or deep cleft in the earth's surface; gorge.

2. a breach or wide fissure in a wall or other structure.

3. a marked interruption of continuity; gap.

   a chasm in time.

4. a sundering breach in relations, as a divergence of opinions, beliefs, etc., between persons or groups.

chasm

/ ˈkæzəm, ˈkæzməl /

noun

1. a deep cleft in the ground; abyss

2. a break in continuity; gap

3. a wide difference in interests, feelings, etc

Other Word Forms

• chasmal adjective
• chasmic adjective
• chasmed adjective
• chasmy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chasm¹

1590–1600; apocopated variant of chasma < Latin < Greek, equivalent to cha- (root of chaínein to gape; yawn ) + -( a ) sma resultative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of chasm¹

C17: from Latin chasma, from Greek khasma; related to Greek khainein to gape

Example Sentences

The American political divide has grown into a bottomless chasm; fall too deeply inside, and it’s likely you may never come out.

From Salon

Israel is as divided now as at any time in its history, and Netanyahu, a deeply divisive figure when Hamas attacked, is presiding over fault lines in Israel that have opened into chasms.

From BBC

If they prevail, it’s likely that 2050 will look the same as it does now, only the chasm between the rich and the poor will grow.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, a chasm has opened up between the US and its traditional allies on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

From BBC

Twenty years later, the wealth gap is a chasm our politicians are turning into a canyon, with more of us stranded on the drowning side.

From Salon

Related Words

• cleavage 
• crater 
• crevasse 
• fissure 
• gorge 
• ravine 
• rift 
• schism 
• void