What does crevice mean?
A crevice is a narrow opening, crack, or fissure in a solid surface — most typically in rock, but also in walls, wood, ice, or other materials. The word suggests depth as well as narrowness: something small enough to slip into or be hidden by, yet often too deep to see into. In geology and mountaineering it describes natural fractures in cliff faces and canyon walls; in everyday language it appears wherever small gaps matter, from crumbs lodged in a sofa's crevices to plants taking root in the cracks of old stonework. Because crevices are places where things collect, hide, or emerge unexpectedly, writers often use them metaphorically for overlooked corners of life. The term is neutral in tone and standard across English-speaking regions. It should not be confused with its close relative 'crevasse,' which refers specifically to a large crack in glacial ice. For anyone describing landscapes, structures, or hidden spaces with precision, 'crevice' is an indispensable word.
nounA narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.
- A narrow opening or fissure, especially one in rock, masonry, or another solid surface.
"Wildflowers sprang improbably from every crevice in the ancient stone wall."
"The climbers wedged their fingers into a narrow crevice to pull themselves up the cliff face."
"Coins and dust had accumulated in the crevice between the floorboards."
Standard regular plural; commonly used when referring to multiple openings across a surface.
"Lichens clung to every one of the damp crevices along the sea wall."
The word 'crevice' and the word 'decrepit' are distant cousins — both trace back to the Latin verb for 'to crack or creak.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crevice
Crevice entered English in the early 15th century, borrowed from Old French crevace, which derived from crever meaning 'to break, burst, or crack.' That verb traces back through Vulgar Latin to the Latin verb crepare, meaning 'to crack, creak, or burst.' This same Latin root gave rise to several other English words, including crevasse (via French), crepitate ('to crackle'), decrepit ('worn out by breaking down'), and discrepant ('differing').
Related word forms
How crevice is actually used
Register is neutral; the word appears equally in scientific writing (geology) and everyday description. It carries no strong connotation on its own, though it is frequently associated with things hidden, trapped, or growing in inaccessible places.
Easily confused with crevice
A crevasse is specifically a deep, wide crack in a glacier or ice sheet, whereas a crevice is any narrow fissure, typically in rock.
A cranny is a very small, narrow crack or opening, often used in the phrase 'nooks and crannies,' while a crevice can be somewhat larger and deeper.