tidal wave
/ˈtaɪdəlweɪv/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.65 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
1
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A large, sudden, and disastrous wave of water caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean; a tsunami. (See Usage notes below.)
noun
A large, sudden inundation of water from the storm surge, or waves of that surge; a sudden surge of river water.
noun
A crest of ocean water resulting from tidal forces.
Example Sentences
- "The last tidal wave here killed twenty and left thousands homeless."
- "During the day conditions worsened quickly—for example, a 2-6-0 on the Uckfield line suddenly encountered flood water high enough to enter its ashpan and extinguish its fire—until lock gates up-river at Barcombe gave way and a tidal wave rolled down the valley meeting head-on a spring tide rolling up from the coast."
- "As the doors opened, a tidal wave of people flooded into the room."
- "I was overcome by a tidal wave of emotions."
- "But this is no stream, folks. This will be a tidal wave that can swamp our democracy."