A fissurea long, narrow crack or groove in a surface or body part is a narrow opening or split, especially one that runs lengthwisein the direction of the longest side, from end to end. It can also mean a long narrow groove in a surface, a specific anatomicalrelating to the structure of a body or its parts groove, or the act of splitting into fine cracks.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈfɪʃər/
Easy pronunciation: FISH-er (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the first syllable.
Noun sense: a long narrow opening.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fissure Meaning
a thin, narrow split or gap
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a long narrow opening
Example: A deep fissure ran through the rock after the earthquake.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cleft — A close substitute for a narrow opening or split in something.
- crack — Common everyday synonym when the opening is narrow and unsealed.
- crevice — Works well for a narrow opening, especially in rock or a surface.
- scissure — Dictionary synonym, but rarer and less common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Fissure
Meaning 2
a long narrow dent or groove
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a long narrow depression in a surface
Example: Rainwater collected in the fissure along the pavement.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- crack — Can describe a narrow line or groove in a surface.
- cranny — Can fit a narrow opening or small groove, though it is usually smaller and less exact.
Meaning 3
a natural groove or split in an organ
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (anatomy) a long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes
Example: The brain has several fissures that separate its major lobes.
Meaning 4
to split into many narrow cracks
Part of speech: verb
Definition: break into fissures or fine cracks
Example: The dried mud fissured in the hot sun.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fissure Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- cleft
- crack
- crevice
a long narrow depression in a surface
- crack
- cranny
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use fissure for any small crack: it usually suggests a long, narrow split or groove.
- Do not confuse the noun senses with the verb sense fissure, which means to split into cracks.
- Cranny is related, but it often suggests a small opening rather than a clear fissure.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fissure mean in simple English?
A fissure is a long, narrow split, opening, or groove in something.
What is a good synonym for fissure?
Common synonyms include cleft, crack, and crevice, depending on the sense.
Is fissure a noun or a verb?
It is mainly a noun, but it can also be a verb meaning to split into fine cracks.
Can fissure mean something in anatomy?
Yes. In anatomy, it can refer to a long narrow groove or slit that divides part of an organ.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
