canyon
/ˈkæn.jən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A canyon is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides. It is often formed by a river cutting through rock over a long time.
- They hiked through the canyon at sunrise.
- The river runs through a deep canyon.
- We saw tall cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
Adinary Nuance
A canyon is deeper and steeper than a valley. A valley is a broader low area between hills or mountains, while a canyon often has very high rock walls. Use canyon when the sides are sharp, narrow, and dramatic. Use valley when the land is wider and softer.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hẻm núi
- Spanish
- cañón
- Chinese
- 峡谷
- Japanese
- 峡谷
- Korean
- 협곡
Etymology
Canyon came into English in the 1800s from Spanish cañón, meaning 'tube' or 'ravine'. The word likely became common in North America first.
Common phrases
a deep canyona river canyoncanyon wallscanyon country
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a canyon and a valley?
- A canyon is usually narrower and steeper than a valley. A valley is wider and less dramatic.
- Is canyon a common word in English?
- Yes, it is common in geography, travel, and nature writing.
- Can I use canyon in formal writing?
- Yes. It is a normal word in academic and descriptive writing.
- What is an example of canyon in a sentence?
- You can say, 'The road followed the edge of the canyon.'