earthquake
12 synonyms for earthquake, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use earthquake
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a major earthquake
earthquake tremors
political earthquake
Etymology
From Middle English erthequake, joining earth and quake; it replaced the older Old English word eorþbeofung.
Full origin of earthquake →Frequently asked questions
What does “earthquake” mean?
The word “earthquake” means a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust. In plain terms, a violent shaking of the ground, or figuratively any huge, sudden disruption.
How do you pronounce “earthquake”?
“Earthquake” is pronounced URTHK-wayk (/ˈɝθkweɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “earthquake” in a sentence?
Here is “earthquake” used in a sentence: “The earthquake destroyed hundreds of homes overnight.”
What is another word for “earthquake”?
Words with a similar meaning to “earthquake” include earthdin, quake, seism, temblor, terremote and tremblor.
What part of speech is “earthquake”?
“Earthquake” is a noun.
Where does the word “earthquake” come from?
The word “earthquake” comes from Old English. From Middle English erthequake, joining earth and quake; it replaced the older Old English word eorþbeofung.
Is “earthquake” a common word?
“Earthquake” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “earthquake” have?
“Earthquake” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust.
What is the difference between an earthquake and a tremor?
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust, and can range from mild to destructive. A tremor usually refers to a smaller or milder shaking, often used for the lesser vibrations before or after a larger event. Every tremor is a form of quake, but 'earthquake' is generally used for the more noticeable shaking.
What is the difference between an earthquake and an aftershock?
An earthquake is the main event of ground shaking caused by crustal movement. An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows the main one in the same area, as the crust settles. Aftershocks are therefore later, usually weaker, quakes triggered by the original earthquake.
