wavelength
gb/wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/ us/wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
B2
Inglés
~ 9500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
technical
B2
quantity
1
distance between two wave peaks
The distance from one top of a wave to the next top of the same wave, for example in light or sound.
Patrón de uso:
the wavelength of [light/sound/a wave]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "wavelength" with "frequency". They are related but not the same: wavelength is a distance in space, while frequency is how many wave cycles happen per second. Another common mistake is writing it as two words ("wave length") instead of the correct single word "wavelength".
Colocaciones
light wavelength
|radio wavelength
|short wavelength
|long wavelength
|visible wavelengths
|measured in nanometers
Temas
science
|physics
|technology
Ejemplos
- Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
- The scientist measured the wavelength of the laser beam with high precision.
- Radio stations broadcast on different wavelengths to avoid interference.
- Sound with a longer wavelength is heard as a lower pitch.
- This telescope can detect infrared wavelengths that the human eye cannot see.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Red light has a longer wavelength than blue light.
- They studied the wavelength of the sound made by the bell.
- The teacher drew a wave and showed the class how to find its wavelength.
- This camera can see light with a very short wavelength.
- Different colors have different wavelengths.
Sustantivo
B2
entity
2
someone’s style of thinking/understanding
A way of thinking or understanding, especially when it is the same as or different from another person’s way of thinking.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is on the same wavelength (as [someone])
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think this meaning of "wavelength" can stand alone, but it is usually used in fixed phrases like "on the same wavelength" or "on a different wavelength". Another mistake is to say *"in the same wavelength" instead of the correct preposition "on" ("on the same wavelength").
Sinónimos
mindset (Refers more generally to a person’s usual set of attitudes; it does not directly highlight similarity or connection with another person the way "wavelength" often does.)
|
outlook (Focuses on a person’s general view or attitude toward life or a situation, rather than on how well it matches someone else’s thinking in a moment of communication.)
Antónimos
misunderstanding (Highlights a lack of shared understanding, which is the opposite of being on the same wavelength with someone.)
|
disconnect (Suggests a clear failure to connect in ideas or feelings, the opposite of sharing a similar wavelength.)
Colocaciones
on the same wavelength
|on a different wavelength
|on my wavelength
|emotional wavelength
|mental wavelength
|be on somebody’s wavelength
Temas
communication
|relationships
|emotions
Ejemplos
- We got on really well because we were on the same wavelength about work and family.
- I like her, but we’re just on a different wavelength when it comes to politics.
- It took a while, but once the team found a common wavelength, progress was much faster.
- He’s not on my wavelength at all, so meetings with him are always tiring.
- Their creative wavelengths matched perfectly, and the project was a success.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My new boss and I are on the same wavelength.
- I feel we are on a different wavelength today.
- It is easy to work with her because she is on my wavelength.
- After we talked, we were finally on the same wavelength.
- Sometimes friends are not on the same wavelength about money.
Sustantivo
technical
C1
entity
3
radio or broadcast channel
A special place on the radio band, defined by wavelength or frequency, that is used for one station or service.
Patrón de uso:
[a service/station] is on [a] wavelength
Error frecuente:
Learners may not realize that in modern usage, radio and TV stations are more commonly described by "frequency" rather than "wavelength". In some contexts, however, older or more technical texts still refer to the "wavelength" of a station.
Sinónimos
frequency (In radio and telecommunications, people now usually name channels by frequency (in MHz or kHz), but it refers to the same part of the spectrum as a wavelength.)
|
channel (More general word for a communication route; does not necessarily mention physical wavelength.)
Colocaciones
broadcast wavelength
|medium-wave wavelength
|short-wave wavelength
|police radio wavelength
|tune to this wavelength
|share the same wavelength
Temas
technology
|media
|communication
Ejemplos
- Emergency services all operate on a special wavelength reserved for them.
- You need to tune the receiver to the correct wavelength to hear that station.
- Military radios were set to a secure wavelength to avoid interception.
- The announcement told drivers which wavelength to switch to for traffic updates.
- Several stations used to share the same wavelength and had to take turns broadcasting.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The police use a different wavelength from normal radios.
- Turn the dial until you find the right wavelength.
- This radio cannot receive that wavelength.
- They moved the station to a new wavelength.
- Many services work on their own radio wavelength.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
wavelength
AFI
GB/wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
US/wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
Sílabas y acento
wavelength (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (wavelength)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: wavelength
- Plural: wavelength, wavelengths
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
on a different wavelength
1/ˈɔn ə dˈɪfɹənt wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
idiom
think in very different ways
To think in a very different way from someone else, so it is hard to understand each other.
Ejemplos
- I like my colleagues, but we’re often on a different wavelength when it comes to risk.
- Teenagers and their parents can feel like they’re on a different wavelength about almost everything.
on someone's wavelength
1/ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌnz wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
idiom
share one person’s way of thinking
To understand how a particular person thinks or feels, and to think in a similar way.
Ejemplos
- It’s hard to be on his wavelength if you don’t know much about technology.
- The director really wanted an editor who was on her wavelength creatively.
on the same wavelength
1/ˈɔn ðə sˈeɪm wˈeɪvlˌɛŋθ/
idiom
think or feel in the same way
To think in a very similar way to someone else, so you understand each other easily.
Ejemplos
- From the first meeting, it was clear that the two designers were on the same wavelength.
- Let’s talk about this later, when we’re both calmer and on the same wavelength.
- Good teams work best when everyone is on the same wavelength about their goals.