A1 noun Neutral

frequency

/ˈfriː.kwən.si/

Frequency is how often something happens in a certain amount of time. In science, it describes the number of times a wave or signal repeats every second.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The frequency of the bus is every ten minutes.

The frequency of the bus is every ten minutes.

2

The experiment measured the frequency of the light waves.

The experiment measured the frequency of the light waves.

3

I'm annoyed by the frequency of these phone calls.

I'm annoyed by the frequency of these phone calls.

Word Family

Noun
frequency
Verb
frequent
Adverb
frequently
Adjective
frequent
Related
frequenter
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Frequency' like 'Frequently.' If something happens frequently, it has a high frequency.

Quick Quiz

The ______ of the sound wave determines how high or low the note sounds.

Correct!

The correct answer is: frequency

Examples

1

The frequency of the bus is every ten minutes.

everyday

The frequency of the bus is every ten minutes.

2

The experiment measured the frequency of the light waves.

formal

The experiment measured the frequency of the light waves.

3

I'm annoyed by the frequency of these phone calls.

informal

I'm annoyed by the frequency of these phone calls.

4

A high frequency sound is very sharp and thin.

academic

A high frequency sound is very sharp and thin.

5

We need to track the frequency of customer visits to the store.

business

We need to track the frequency of customer visits to the store.

Word Family

Noun
frequency
Verb
frequent
Adverb
frequently
Adjective
frequent
Related
frequenter

Common Collocations

high frequency high frequency
low frequency low frequency
radio frequency radio frequency
increasing frequency increasing frequency
pulse frequency pulse frequency

Common Phrases

at a high frequency

at a high frequency

frequency modulation

frequency modulation

natural frequency

natural frequency

Often Confused With

frequency vs period

Frequency is how many times a cycle happens in one second, while period is the time it takes for one cycle to finish.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'frequency' when talking about how often a repetitive event occurs, especially in math, physics, or statistics.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Don't confuse 'frequency' with 'amount.' Use 'frequency' for how often something happens, not how much of something there is.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Frequency' like 'Frequently.' If something happens frequently, it has a high frequency.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'frequentia', which means a large number or a crowd.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (plural: frequencies) Often used with the preposition 'of' Can be used as an uncountable noun in general contexts

Quick Quiz

The ______ of the sound wave determines how high or low the note sounds.

Correct!

The correct answer is: frequency

More science words

hypothesize

B2

To suggest a possible explanation for something based on limited evidence, used as a starting point for further investigation.

velocity

A1

Velocity describes how fast an object moves in a specific direction. It is a technical word for speed used often in science and math.

momentum

A1

Momentum is the power that a moving object has to keep moving. It depends on how heavy the object is and how fast it is going. It is also used to describe a plan or project that is growing and becoming more successful.

magnetism

A1

Magnetism is a physical force that pulls certain metals toward each other or pushes them away. It is also used to describe a special charm that attracts people to a person.

radiation

A1

Radiation is energy that travels through space as waves or very small particles. It comes from natural sources like the sun and from machines like X-rays in hospitals.

wavelength

A1

Wavelength is the distance between two peaks of a light or sound wave. It is also used to describe when people have the same ideas and understand each other.

optics

A1

Optics is the branch of science that studies light and how it interacts with things like lenses and mirrors. In modern usage, it also refers to how an event or action is seen by the public.

thermodynamics

A1

Thermodynamics is the study of heat and how it moves. It explains how energy changes from one form to another, such as how heat can turn into movement.

atom

A1

An atom is the smallest possible part of a chemical element. Everything in the world is made of millions of these very tiny particles.

reaction

A1

A reaction is a response to an action or a situation. In science, it is what happens when two or more substances are mixed together to create a change.

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