Library / English Dictionary

TIDAL WAVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A wave resulting from the periodic flow of the tides that is caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("tidal wave" is a kind of...):

moving ridge; wave (one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water))

Sense 2

Meaning:

An unusual (and often destructive) rise of water along the seashore caused by a storm or a combination of wind and high tide

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("tidal wave" is a kind of...):

calamity; cataclysm; catastrophe; disaster; tragedy (an event resulting in great loss and misfortune)

moving ridge; wave (one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water))

Sense 3

Meaning:

An overwhelming manifestation of some emotion or phenomenon

Example:

a tidal wave of crime

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("tidal wave" is a kind of...):

manifestation (a clear appearance)

Credits