avalanche
1 synonym for avalanche, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large mass of snow and ice that suddenly breaks loose and slides down a mountainside.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
roll down
How to use avalanche
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
trigger an avalanche
avalanche of criticism
caught in an avalanche
Etymology
From French avalanche, blending a regional word for "downhill" with an older term for a landslide, ultimately from Latin labor, "to slip or slide."
Full origin of avalanche →Frequently asked questions
What does “avalanche” mean?
The word “avalanche” means a large mass of snow and ice that suddenly breaks loose and slides down a mountainside. In plain terms, a sudden slide of snow — or, more loosely, a sudden flood of something (complaints, requests, news).
How do you pronounce “avalanche”?
“Avalanche” is pronounced A-vuh-lahnsh (/ˈævəlæn(t)ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “avalanche” in a sentence?
Here is “avalanche” used in a sentence: “The skiers had to be rescued after an avalanche blocked the only path down.”
What part of speech is “avalanche”?
Depending on how it is used, “avalanche” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “avalanche” come from?
The word “avalanche” comes from Latin. From French avalanche, blending a regional word for "downhill" with an older term for a landslide, ultimately from Latin labor, "to slip or slide.".
Is “avalanche” a common word?
“Avalanche” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “avalanche” have?
“Avalanche” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large mass of snow and ice that suddenly breaks loose and slides down a mountainside.
