Meaning & use
wavelength
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountablephysicstechnical
The distance between one peak of a wave and the next, used to measure light, sound and radio signals.
Grammar: Often followed by of: the wavelength of red light.
Patterns
- the wavelength of something
Red light has a longer wavelength than blue light.
The radio station broadcasts on a wavelength of three meters.
Shorter wavelengths carry more energy.
nounsingularfigurativeinformal
The way two people think and feel, especially when they understand each other easily.
Grammar: Mostly used in the idiom on the same wavelength.
Patterns
- be on the same wavelength as someone
- on a different wavelength
My sister and I are always on the same wavelength about movies.
The two coaches were on different wavelengths about training.
It took a few weeks before the new colleagues were on the same wavelength.
Word forms
| plural | wavelengths |
|---|
Common combinations
- visible wavelength
- Our eyes detect only visible wavelengths of light.
- on the same wavelength
- We were on the same wavelength from the first meeting.
- short wavelength
- Ultraviolet light has a short wavelength.
- measure the wavelength
- The student used a device to measure the wavelength.
Synonyms and how they differ
- frequency
- Frequency counts how many waves pass a point each second, which is related to but different from the distance that wavelength measures.
- rapport
- Rapport describes a friendly bond between people, whereas wavelength figuratively describes shared thinking.
- band
- Band names a range of wavelengths or frequencies, not a single distance.
Word family
Commonly confused: wavelength or frequency?
wavelength vs frequency
Frequency is the number of waves per second. Wavelength is the distance from one peak to the next. When one goes up, the other goes down.
Practice
"I never need to explain myself to Jo; we are always on the same ____."
Choose one answer.
On the same wavelength is the idiom meaning to think alike. The other options do not complete a natural idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “wavelength”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.