Afgrond

Afgrond is a Dutch noun that denotes a deep, opening void or drop, often translated as abyss or chasm. It can refer to a physical feature—an immense drop in a cliff, a deep crevice, or the depths of the sea—as well as to a figurative situation that feels dangerous, overpowering, or seemingly hopeless.

In geographical terms, an afgrond describes a sheer, vertical drop or a deep hollow in the landscape. It emphasizes depth and the sense that an area cannot be easily traversed or crossed. While related terms such as kloof (gorge) or ravijn (ravine) describe specific forms of terrain, afgrond highlights the sheer magnitude of depth and the impression of an unbridgeable space.

Common expressions in Dutch reflect both the literal and figurative meanings. For example, in de afgrond storten means to plunge into the abyss, and een afgrond van onzekerheid refers to a profound or overwhelming uncertainty. In literature and philosophy, the afgrond is often used metaphorically to signify existential danger, moral peril, or a turning point with uncertain outcomes.

Etymologywise, afgrond is formed from af-, meaning down or away, and grond, meaning ground. It is cognate with the German Abgrund, with both terms tracing to a common sense of a deep, unwelcome space. The word appears in historical and contemporary Dutch usage, keeping a strong association with depth and risk.