vortex
gb/vˈɔɹtɛks/ us/vˈɔɹtɛks/
B2
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B2
entity
1
A powerful whirling mass
A fast, spinning movement of air or water.
Schéma d’usage :
a vortex of [air/water/dust]
Erreur fréquente :
A vortex is the spinning flow itself; the center is the point it spins around.
Synonymes
whirlpool (Usually refers to a vortex in water.)
|
maelstrom (Suggests a very violent, dangerous whirl.)
Antonymes
stillness (No spinning or strong movement.)
Collocations
powerful vortex
|swirling vortex
|a vortex forms
|a vortex develops
|a vortex of water
|a vortex of air
|create a vortex
|fall into a vortex
|trapped in a vortex
|vortex current
Thèmes
nature
|weather
|water
Exemples
- A dark vortex of water opened beside the boat.
- The tornado looked like a giant vortex reaching down from the clouds.
- Leaves spun in a small vortex at the corner of the building.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The water made a vortex in the sink.
- A vortex can pull objects toward the center.
Nom
C1
abstract
2
A situation that pulls you in
A situation that is very intense and hard to get out of.
Schéma d’usage :
a vortex of [activity/violence/debt/rumors]
Erreur fréquente :
This is a metaphorical meaning; it does not describe literal spinning movement.
Synonymes
maelstrom (Emphasizes chaos and being overwhelmed.)
|
trap (More general; does not suggest being ‘pulled in’ by forces around you.)
Antonymes
stability (A steady situation that does not pull you off course.)
Collocations
political vortex
|media vortex
|a vortex of activity
|a vortex of violence
|a vortex of debt
|dragged into a vortex
|drawn into the vortex
|escape the vortex
|caught in a vortex
Thèmes
emotions
|society
|daily_life
Exemples
- After the scandal broke, she got caught in a vortex of rumors and online abuse.
- The small disagreement quickly turned into a vortex of blame.
- He tried to stay calm, but work deadlines pulled him into a vortex of stress.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Social media can become a vortex and waste your time.
- He escaped the vortex of debt.
Nom
technical
C1
entity
3
Rotating flow in physics
A spinning flow of liquid or gas, studied in science.
Schéma d’usage :
a vortex forms behind [something]
Erreur fréquente :
In technical use, vortex refers to the rotating flow region, not just any turbulence.
Synonymes
eddy (Often smaller and less structured than a vortex; commonly used for water flow.)
Antonymes
laminar flow (Smooth flow without swirling or rotation.)
Collocations
vortex formation
|vortex flow
|vortex core
|wingtip vortices
|turbulent vortex
|vortex strength
|vortex dynamics
|vortex motion
|shed vortices
|vortex pattern
Thèmes
science
|engineering
Exemples
- The engineers measured the vortices forming behind the wing.
- A vortex can persist for a long time in a rotating fluid.
- Smoke made the airflow visible as a series of vortices.
Exemples pédagogiques
- A vortex is a spinning flow of air or water.
- In science, people study vortices in fluids.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
vortex
API
GB/vˈɔɹtɛks/
US/vˈɔɹtɛks/
Syllabes et accentuation
vor - tex (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (vor)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: vortex
- Plural: vortexes, vortices
Expressions
caught in a vortex
1/kˈɔt ˈɪn ə vˈɔɹtɛks/
idiom
Drawn into a hard situation
Stuck in a difficult, confusing situation.
Exemples
- She felt caught in a vortex of meetings, emails, and deadlines.
- Once the argument went public, they were caught in a vortex of accusations.
in the vortex of
1/ˈɪn ðə vˈɔɹtɛks əv/
fixed phrase
In the middle of intense activity
In the middle of something very busy or stressful.
Exemples
- They met in the vortex of the campaign, when everyone was exhausted.
- In the vortex of the move, she forgot to update her address.
polar vortex
1/pˈoʊlɚ vˈɔɹtɛks/
fixed phrase
technical
large area of very cold polar air
A huge area of very cold air high above the polar region that sometimes moves south and brings very cold weather.
Exemples
- A strong polar vortex is expected to bring record low temperatures to the region.
- News reports warned that the polar vortex would make travel dangerous.
- When the polar vortex weakens, icy air can spill into lower latitudes.
polar vortex
1/pˈoʊlɚ vˈɔɹtɛks/
fixed phrase
Cold-air system near the poles
A big system of very cold air near the North or South Pole.
Exemples
- Forecasters warned that the polar vortex could push temperatures far below normal.
- When the polar vortex weakens, cold air can spill into lower latitudes.