Meaning & use
geothermal
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to heat that comes from inside the Earth.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'geothermal energy'; it is not usually used after a verb like 'be'.
Patterns
- geothermal energy
- geothermal power
- geothermal heat
Iceland uses geothermal energy to heat most of its homes.
The new building is warmed by a geothermal system drilled deep into the ground.
Geothermal power plants turn underground steam into electricity.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Involving or produced by the heat of the Earth's interior.
Grammar: Also used before nouns like 'activity' or 'gradient' in scientific writing.
Patterns
- geothermal activity
- geothermal gradient
Geothermal activity in the region creates hot springs and geysers.
Scientists measure the geothermal gradient to learn about temperatures underground.
Common combinations
- geothermal energy
- Geothermal energy is a renewable resource.
- geothermal power plant
- The geothermal power plant supplies electricity to the town.
- geothermal heating
- Their house uses geothermal heating in winter.
- geothermal system
- A geothermal system can cut your energy bills.
Word family
- geothermally adverb
- In a way that involves the Earth's heat.
Commonly confused: geothermal or geothermic?
geothermal vs geothermic
A rare variant meaning the same thing; 'geothermal' is the standard form.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'geothermal' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Geothermal' is an adjective used before a noun, as in 'geothermal system'. The other options use it as a noun or adverb, which is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “geothermal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.