seismic
gb/sˈaɪzmɪk/ us/sˈaɪzmɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
C1
property
1
related to earthquakes
connected with earthquakes.
Usage pattern:
seismic + [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse seismic (earthquakes) with cosmic (space) or use it for any kind of vibration, even when earthquakes are not involved.
Synonyms
seismological (More technical and closely tied to the science of seismology.)
|
earthquake-related (Plain descriptive paraphrase rather than a standard adjective in scientific writing.)
Antonyms
aseismic (Describes areas or conditions with little or no earthquake activity.)
Collocations
seismic activity
|seismic waves
|seismic tremor
|seismic event
|seismic zone
|seismic fault
|seismic monitoring
|seismic sensor
|seismic risk
|seismic hazard
Themes
nature
|science
|geology
Examples
- The building was designed to withstand seismic forces.
- Seismic sensors detected a small tremor offshore.
- Engineers updated the seismic hazard maps after the quake.
Learner examples
- This area has high seismic activity.
- The city improved its seismic safety rules.
adjective
C1
property
2
having a huge impact
very big and important; changing things a lot.
Usage pattern:
seismic + [change/shift/impact/event]
Common mistake:
In this figurative sense, seismic typically modifies big abstract nouns (shift, change, impact); it can sound odd with small, everyday nouns (e.g., *a seismic lunch*).
Synonyms
dramatic (Strong change or effect, but less metaphorically intense.)
|
momentous (Emphasizes long-term importance rather than sudden impact.)
|
earth-shattering (Very strong and emotional; often more informal or hyperbolic.)
Antonyms
minor (Small in effect or importance.)
|
insignificant (So small it hardly matters.)
Collocations
seismic shift
|seismic change
|seismic impact
|seismic moment
|seismic decision
|seismic development
|seismic political shift
|seismic cultural shift
|seismic transformation
|seismic consequences
Themes
news
|politics
|business
|society
Examples
- The election brought a seismic change in national policy.
- Remote work triggered a seismic shift in how many companies operate.
- The court ruling had seismic consequences for the industry.
Learner examples
- The new law caused a seismic change.
- It was a seismic shift in the market.
Grammar
Dictionary form
seismic
IPA
GB/sˈaɪzmɪk/
US/sˈaɪzmɪk/
Syllables & stress
seis - mic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (seis)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: seismic
Expressions
seismic activity
1/sˈaɪzmɪk æktˈɪvɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
earthquake movement in an area
how many earthquakes happen in a place.
Examples
- Scientists reported increased seismic activity near the volcano.
- The region has low seismic activity compared with the coast.
seismic data
1/sˈaɪzmɪk dˈætə/
fixed phrase
technical
recorded earthquake measurements
information measured from ground movement.
Examples
- Researchers analyzed seismic data to locate the fault.
- The station transmits seismic data in real time.
seismic event
1/sˈaɪzmɪk ɪvˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
technical
an earthquake occurrence
an earthquake or similar ground movement.
Examples
- The network detected a seismic event near the ridge.
- Aftershocks are smaller seismic events that follow a major quake.
seismic risk
1/sˈaɪzmɪk ɹˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
technical
likelihood of earthquake damage
the chance of damage from earthquakes.
Examples
- Insurers adjusted premiums based on seismic risk.
- The report assesses seismic risk for older buildings.
seismic shift
1/sˈaɪzmɪk ʃˈɪft/
fixed phrase
a huge change
a very big change.
Examples
- Streaming services caused a seismic shift in the music industry.
- The policy change marked a seismic shift in public opinion.
seismic survey
1/sˈaɪzmɪk sˈɚvˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
technical
mapping underground using vibrations
a test that uses vibrations to see what is underground.
Examples
- The company conducted a seismic survey before drilling offshore.
- A seismic survey helped engineers plan the tunnel route.
seismic waves
1/sˈaɪzmɪk wˈeɪvz/
fixed phrase
technical
vibrations from an earthquake
energy waves from an earthquake.
Examples
- Seismic waves from the quake were recorded across the country.
- Different seismic waves travel at different speeds.
seismic zone
1/sˈaɪzmɪk zˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
area prone to earthquakes
a place where earthquakes often happen.
Examples
- The city lies in a major seismic zone along the coast.
- Building codes are stricter in seismic zones.