tsunami
|tsu-na-mi|
B2
🇺🇸
/tsuˈnɑːmi/
🇬🇧
/tsuːˈnɑːmi/
large sea wave
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tsunami' originates from Japanese, specifically the word '津波', where '津' meant 'harbor' and '波' meant 'wave'.
Historical Evolution
'津波' was adopted into English in the late 19th century, retaining its original Japanese form and meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'harbor wave', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance.
The coastal town was devastated by a tsunami.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42