tsunami
A tsunami is a very large and powerful wave in the ocean caused by an earthquake or volcano under the water. It travels very fast and can cause great destruction when it reaches the shore.
Examples
3 of 5The people ran to higher ground to escape the tsunami.
The people ran to higher ground to escape the tsunami.
The meteorological department issued a formal tsunami warning for the coastal regions.
The meteorological department issued a formal tsunami warning for the coastal regions.
Check the news; they say a small tsunami might hit the coast tonight.
Check the news; they say a small tsunami might hit the coast tonight.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'T' as a 'Tall' wave coming from the 'S'ea.
Quick Quiz
The village was destroyed by a massive ______ after the earthquake.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tsunami
Examples
The people ran to higher ground to escape the tsunami.
everydayThe people ran to higher ground to escape the tsunami.
The meteorological department issued a formal tsunami warning for the coastal regions.
formalThe meteorological department issued a formal tsunami warning for the coastal regions.
Check the news; they say a small tsunami might hit the coast tonight.
informalCheck the news; they say a small tsunami might hit the coast tonight.
The geological impact of a tsunami can alter the coastline for decades.
academicThe geological impact of a tsunami can alter the coastline for decades.
Our company provides specialized insurance policies for tsunami-related property damage.
businessOur company provides specialized insurance policies for tsunami-related property damage.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
tsunami of emotion
a sudden, overwhelming feeling
tsunami relief
aid provided after a tsunami
tsunami watch
monitoring for a potential tsunami
Often Confused With
A tsunami is caused by underwater earthquakes, while a tidal wave is caused by the tide and wind.
A flood is general high water on land, whereas a tsunami is a specific, high-speed wave from the sea.
Usage Notes
The word is used both literally for the natural disaster and metaphorically to describe a large, overwhelming amount of something arriving at once.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell the word by omitting the 't' or confusing the 'u' and 'a'. Remember that in English, the 't' is often silent or very soft.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'T' as a 'Tall' wave coming from the 'S'ea.
Word Origin
From the Japanese words 'tsu' (harbor) and 'nami' (wave).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term gained global prominence following the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster and the 2011 event in Japan.
Quick Quiz
The village was destroyed by a massive ______ after the earthquake.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tsunami
Related Vocabulary
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canopy
A1A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.
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