earthquake
URTHK-wayk
Earthquake (noun) means a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust. Example: “Windows rattled and plates fell from shelves when the earthquake struck the town.”
noun
1
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the Earth's crust.
"Windows rattled and plates fell from shelves when the earthquake struck the town."
"The earthquake destroyed hundreds of homes overnight."
"Scientists monitor fault lines to predict future earthquakes."
2
A sudden, major upheaval or shock, used figuratively.
"The shock result was an earthquake in the football world."
"The company's sudden closure caused an earthquake in the small town."
"The scandal was a political earthquake that toppled the government."
How to use earthquake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA violent shaking of the ground, or figuratively any huge, sudden disruption.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a major earthquake
earthquake tremors
political earthquake
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Word forms
- Plural
- earthquakes
- Third person singular
- earthquakes
- Past tense
- earthquaked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Windows rattled and plates fell from shelves when the _____ struck the town.
Etymology
From Middle English erthequake, joining earth and quake; it replaced the older Old English word eorþbeofung.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for earthquake
See all rhymes for 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.
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