noun
Uncommon
tsunami
soo-NAH-mee
Tsunami (noun) means a huge, destructive sea wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or eruption. Example: “The earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated the coastline.”
noun
1
A huge, destructive sea wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or eruption.
"The earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated the coastline."
"Warning sirens sounded along the coast as the tsunami approached."
"Scientists study seabed movements to give people more time to flee before a tsunami arrives."
2
A sudden, overwhelming surge of something.
"The company faced a tsunami of complaints after the price hike."
"After the video went viral, a tsunami of orders crashed the shop's website."
"I woke up to a tsunami of messages from friends congratulating me."
How to use tsunami
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA massive ocean wave caused by a major disturbance like an earthquake, or figuratively any overwhelming wave of something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tsunami warning
a tsunami of
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Word forms
- Plural
- tsunamis
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The earthquake triggered a _____ that devastated the coastline.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese tsunami, literally "harbour wave," from tsu ("harbour") and nami ("wave").
Synonyms
View more →
seismic sea wave
tidal wave
Rhymes for tsunami
See all rhymes for tsunami →Frequently asked questions
What does “tsunami” mean?
The word “tsunami” means a huge, destructive sea wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or eruption. In plain terms, a massive ocean wave caused by a major disturbance like an earthquake, or figuratively any overwhelming wave of something.
How do you pronounce “tsunami”?
“Tsunami” is pronounced soo-NAH-mee (/(t)suːˈnɑːmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “tsunami” in a sentence?
Here is “tsunami” used in a sentence: “The earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated the coastline.”
What is another word for “tsunami”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tsunami” include seismic sea wave and tidal wave.
What part of speech is “tsunami”?
“Tsunami” is a noun.
Where does the word “tsunami” come from?
The word “tsunami” comes from Japanese. Borrowed from Japanese tsunami, literally "harbour wave," from tsu ("harbour") and nami ("wave").
Is “tsunami” a common word?
“Tsunami” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tsunami” have?
“Tsunami” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a huge, destructive sea wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or eruption.
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