earthquake
gb/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk/ us/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk/
B1
English
~ 8500
földrengés, megrázkódtatás
NOUN
B1
1
földrengés
B1
Usage pattern:
[an earthquake] hits [a place]
A powerful earthquake struck the coastal city early this morning.
Ma kora reggel erős földrengés sújtotta a tengerparti várost.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake caused severe damage to buildings and roads.
A 7,2-es erősségű földrengés súlyos károkat okozott az épületekben és az utakban.
Scientists are studying the fault line that produced last year’s earthquake.
Residents ran into the streets when the earthquake started shaking their homes.
Many countries sent aid after the earthquake devastated the region.
Learner examples
An earthquake shook the city last night.
Tegnap éjjel földrengés rázta meg a várost.
The earthquake broke many windows in our town.
A földrengés miatt sok ablak betört a városunkban.
People were scared when the earthquake started.
After the earthquake, many families needed help.
Japan often prepares for the next big earthquake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'earthquake' with 'volcano' or 'eruption'. An earthquake is shaking of the ground; a volcano is a mountain that can erupt with lava. Also, learners may write 'earth quake' as two words; it is always written as one word: 'earthquake'. Remember to use 'an' before 'earthquake' (an earthquake), not 'a earthquake'.
Meaning
sudden shaking of the ground
Collocations
major earthquake
|earthquake zone
|earthquake damage
|earthquake-prone area
|earthquake victim
|earthquake relief
Synonyms
quake (Informal, shorter form usually used in the same literal sense but slightly less formal and less technical.)
|
tremor (Usually refers to a smaller or weaker earthquake, or a single shaking movement rather than the whole event.)
|
seismic event (Technical term used in scientific or official contexts, less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
stability (Describes a condition where the ground does not move, the opposite of sudden shaking.)
Themes
nature
|science
|disasters
Definition
A sudden strong movement of the ground because the rocks under the Earth move.
A sudden, often violent shaking of the ground caused by movements within the Earth’s crust or upper mantle.
NOUN
B2
2
földrengés
B2
Usage pattern:
[an earthquake] in [a field / organization / system]
The election results were described as a political earthquake that reshaped the country’s leadership.
A választási eredményeket politikai földrengésként emlegették, amely átalakította az ország vezetését.
The scandal caused an earthquake in the company, leading to the resignation of several top executives.
A botrány nagy megrázkódtatást okozott a vállalatnál, és több felső vezető lemondásához vezetett.
The new technology created an earthquake in the music industry, changing how people buy songs forever.
The financial crash was an economic earthquake that affected markets around the world.
Learner examples
The news called the vote a political earthquake.
A híradások politikai földrengésnek nevezték a szavazást.
The new law caused an earthquake in the health system.
Az új törvény nagy megrázkódtatást okozott az egészségügyi rendszerben.
The company’s sudden move was an earthquake in the market.
The coach’s resignation was an earthquake for the team.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always refers to the physical shaking of the ground. In news and business writing, 'earthquake' is often used metaphorically to mean a very big and sudden change, even when nothing is physically shaking. Context (politics, business, society) usually makes the figurative meaning clear.
Meaning
sudden major change or shock
Collocations
political earthquake
|an earthquake in politics
|an earthquake in the industry
|economic earthquake
Synonyms
upheaval (Highlights strong disorder and change, often longer-lasting and more chaotic.)
|
shake-up (Informal; often used for big changes inside an organization, especially staff or structure changes.)
Antonyms
stability (Describes a situation that does not change suddenly, the opposite of a sudden major change.)
|
continuity (Focuses on things staying the same over time instead of changing suddenly.)
Themes
society
|politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very big and sudden change in a group, system, or situation that affects many things or people.
A sudden, dramatic change or shock in a situation, organization, or system, often causing major effects or disruption.
Grammar
Dictionary form
earthquake
IPA
GB/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk/
US/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk/
Syllables & stress
earth - quake (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (earth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: earthquake
- Plural: earthquakes
Word family
Expressions
earthquake damage
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk dˈæmɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
harm caused by an earthquake
The broken buildings, roads, and other things after an earthquake.
Examples
- Engineers inspected the bridge for earthquake damage.
- The government promised money to repair earthquake damage in the region.
- Photos showed severe earthquake damage in the city center.
earthquake drill
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk dɹˈɪl/
fixed phrase
practice exercise for earthquakes
A practice activity where people learn and repeat what to do if an earthquake happens.
Examples
- Schools hold an earthquake drill twice a year so students know how to react.
- During the earthquake drill, everyone had to get under their desks and cover their heads.
- The office earthquake drill helped workers find the nearest safe exits.
earthquake insurance
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
fixed phrase
insurance for earthquake damage
A special type of insurance that pays you money if your home or things are damaged by an earthquake.
Examples
- Homeowners in this region are strongly advised to buy earthquake insurance.
- Without earthquake insurance, they had to pay for all the repairs themselves.
- The bank requires earthquake insurance before approving a mortgage in this area.
earthquake relief
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk ɹɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
aid for earthquake victims
Food, money, medical help, and other support given to people after an earthquake.
Examples
- International organizations sent earthquake relief within hours of the disaster.
- Volunteers raised money for earthquake relief efforts.
- The charity focuses on earthquake relief in remote villages.
earthquake zone
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk zˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
area where earthquakes are common
A place or region where earthquakes often happen or are likely to happen.
Examples
- Many cities in this earthquake zone have strict building codes.
- If you live in an earthquake zone, you should have an emergency kit ready.
- The government updated the map of the national earthquake zone to help plan new construction.
earthquake-prone area
1/ˈɚθkwˌeɪk pɹˈoʊn ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
area likely to have earthquakes
An area where earthquakes are more likely to happen than in other places.
Examples
- Builders must follow special rules in this earthquake-prone area.
- They moved away from the earthquake-prone area after a series of strong tremors.
- Insurance is more expensive in earthquake-prone areas.