Meaning & use
tsunamis
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“tsunamis” is a form of “tsunami”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
A very large ocean wave caused by an earthquake or similar event under the sea, which can flood coastal land.
Grammar: Countable: one tsunami, two tsunamis. Often used with 'hit', 'strike', or 'cause'.
Patterns
- a tsunami hits something
- a tsunami strikes something
- be caused by a tsunami
The tsunami hit the coast early in the morning and flooded many villages.
Scientists use buoys in the ocean to detect tsunamis before they reach land.
After the earthquake, people were warned that a tsunami could arrive within hours.
Word forms
| singular | tsunami |
|---|
Common combinations
- a tsunami warning
- The authorities issued a tsunami warning for the whole region.
- a tsunami hits the coast
- When a tsunami hits the coast, the water can travel far inland.
- a massive tsunami
- A massive tsunami destroyed the harbor in 2011.
- cause a tsunami
- An undersea earthquake can cause a tsunami.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tidal wave
- An older, less precise term; it is often used in everyday speech but scientists prefer 'tsunami' because tides are not the cause.
Word family
- tsunami noun
- The singular form, used for one event.
Practice
The earthquake under the sea caused a ______ that reached the shore in less than an hour.
Choose one answer.
We need the singular countable noun after 'a'; 'tsunami' fits. 'Tsunamis' is plural and cannot follow 'a'. 'Tidal' is an adjective. 'Typhoon' is a storm, not a wave.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tsunamis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.