How Do You Spell CLEAVE?

Pronunciation: [klˈiːv] (IPA)

The word "cleave" is one of the most confusing words in the English language when it comes to spelling. It can be pronounced as "kleev" or "kleev," depending on the context. The pronunciation "kleev" is typically used when it means to split or chop something apart. On the other hand, "kleev" is used when it means to stick together or adhere. This confusion comes from the fact that "cleave" has two completely different meanings, which makes it difficult to know which spelling to use.

CLEAVE Meaning and Definition

1. Cleave is a verb that can have two different meanings, depending on its context.

   1. When used with the preposition "to" or "unto," cleave means to adhere firmly or cling together. In this sense, it refers to being strongly attached or sticking to something or someone. For example, a person might say, "She cleaved unto her beliefs," indicating a steadfast adherence or loyalty. It can also be used to describe the act of sticking two things together, as in "The glue will cleave the pieces of wood together."

   2. When used without a preposition, cleave means to split or divide, often with significant force or precision. It implies an action of severing or splitting something apart. For example, a person might say, "He cleaved the log with a single swing of the axe," highlighting a clean and powerful splitting action. Similarly, it can be used metaphorically to describe a division or separation between concepts or ideas, as in "Their beliefs about the issue cleave them into two opposing groups."

   In both senses, "cleave" conveys a sense of strong attachment or separation, depending on the context of its usage. The versatility of this word allows it to capture both literal and metaphorical divisions, providing a vivid image of either tight adherence or forceful separation.

2. • To adhere to; to stick to; to be united in interest or affection.

   • To split; to part or divide by force; to crack; to part; to open.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for CLEAVE

• sleave
• leaeve
• clearde
• leaqve
• baleave
• kleave
• lieave
• clevage
• leeave
• sleav
• eclave
• clearl
• releave
• cleaer
• dleave
• beleave
• toleave
• leaave
• cleart
• cleaar
• bleive
• elave
• geave
• cleavege
• cleane
• loeave
• cleche
• bleve
• leeve
• keave
• clerge
• clete
• bleave
• cleavag
• clavw
• leava
• clere
• leavea
• cleavge
• bileave
• clevr
• cleare
• blave
• cleace
• cleavd
• aleave
• clegge
• eleave
• Clerre
• cleepe
• cleppe
• Cleva
• ollave
• clesse
• cceava
• cheade
• cleair
• clenze
• Clevle
• cleasee
• clesae
• cleame
• cleauge
• cleeage
• Cleache
• cleaive
• Clevl
• Eleavee
• cleaome
• Cleatae
• Cleeie
• cleuze
• Bleeime
• Cleamm
• culdave
• creavee
• Creuve
• Cheaze
• Zueave

Etymology of CLEAVE

The word "cleave" has a fascinating etymology. It originated from two distinct Old English verbs, which eventually merged into a single word with contradictory meanings.

1. Cleave (meaning "to split or sever"): This usage of "cleave" comes from the Old English word "clēofan", which means "to split or separate". It is related to other Germanic words like German "klauben" and Dutch "kloven", which have a similar meaning.

2. Cleave (meaning "to adhere or stick together"): This usage of "cleave" comes from the Old English word "clifian" or "clīfan", meaning "to adhere, stick, or cling". This sense is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "klibaną", which has various cognates across Germanic languages, including German "kleben" and Dutch "kleven".

Idioms with the word CLEAVE

• cleave to sm The idiom "cleave to someone or something" means to be very loyal, devoted, or deeply attached to a person or an idea. It refers to a strong emotional or moral connection and a commitment to remain steadfast and supportive.
• cleave to (one) The idiom "cleave to (one)" means to be deeply dedicated, loyal, or attached to someone or something. It suggests a strong emotional bond or commitment to another person or a particular idea or belief. It implies staying close and supporting someone or something through thick and thin, despite challenges or difficulties.
• cleave to someone The idiom "cleave to someone" means to stick closely or faithfully to someone, to be loyal and devoted to someone. It implies a strong emotional attachment and commitment to the person.

Similar spelling words for CLEAVE

• clap,
• clv,
• cleaver,
• clupea,
• clove,
• cave,
• clever,
• clef,
• clive,
• Clapp,
• clear,
• leave,
• clover.

Plural form of CLEAVE is CLEAVES

Conjugate verb Cleave

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have cleaved

you would have cleaved

he/she/it would have cleaved

we would have cleaved

they would have cleaved

I would have cleave

you would have cleave

he/she/it would have cleave

we would have cleave

they would have cleave

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been cleaving

you would have been cleaving

he/she/it would have been cleaving

we would have been cleaving

they would have been cleaving

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would cleave

you would cleave

he/she/it would cleave

we would cleave

they would cleave

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be cleaving

you would be cleaving

he/she/it would be cleaving

we would be cleaving

they would be cleaving

FUTURE

I will cleave

you will cleave

he/she/it will cleave

we will cleave

they will cleave

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be cleaving

you will be cleaving

he/she/it will be cleaving

we will be cleaving

they will be cleaving

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have cleaved

you will have cleaved

he/she/it will have cleaved

we will have cleaved

they will have cleaved

I will have cleft, will have cleaved

we will have cleft, will have cleaved

you will have cleft, will have cleaved

he/she/it will have cleft, will have cleaved

they will have cleft, will have cleaved

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been cleaving

you will have been cleaving

he/she/it will have been cleaving

we will have been cleaving

they will have been cleaving

IMPERATIVE

you cleave

we let´s cleave

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to cleave

PAST

I cleaved

you cleaved

he/she/it cleaved

we cleaved

they cleaved

I cleft, cleaved

we cleft, cleaved

you cleft, cleaved

he/she/it cleft, cleaved

they cleft, cleaved

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was cleaving

you were cleaving

he/she/it was cleaving

we were cleaving

they were cleaving

PAST PARTICIPLE

cleft; cloven; cleaved

cleaved

PAST PERFECT

I had cleaved

you had cleaved

he/she/it had cleaved

we had cleaved

they had cleaved

I had cleaved, had cleft

we had cleaved, had cleft

you had cleaved, had cleft

he/she/it had cleaved, had cleft

they had cleaved, had cleft

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been cleaving

you had been cleaving

he/she/it had been cleaving

we had been cleaving

they had been cleaving

PRESENT

I cleave

you cleave

he/she/it cleaves

we cleave

they cleave

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am cleaving

you are cleaving

he/she/it is cleaving

we are cleaving

they are cleaving

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

cleaving

PRESENT PERFECT

I have cleaved

you have cleaved

he/she/it has cleaved

we have cleaved

they have cleaved

I have cleaved, have cleft

we have cleaved, have cleft

you have cleaved, have cleft

he/she/it has cleaved, has cleft

they have cleaved, have cleft

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been cleaving

you have been cleaving

he/she/it has been cleaving

we have been cleaving

they have been cleaving

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it cleave

SIMPLE PAST

I cleft; clove; cleaved

you cleft; clove; cleaved

he/she/it cleft; clove; cleaved

we cleft; clove; cleaved

they cleft; clove; cleaved

I would have cleaved, would have cleft

we would have cleaved, would have cleft

you would have cleaved, would have cleft

he/she/it would have cleaved, would have cleft

they would have cleaved, would have cleft