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wave - definition and synonyms


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noun [countable]     wave pronunciation in British English
Word Forms
  1. 1
    Sound effect a line of water that rises up on the surface of a sea, lake, or river

    The boat was smashed by a huge wave.

    1. a.

      the waves

      [plural] literary the sea
  2. 2
    a sudden increase in a particular type of behaviour or activity, especially one that is unpleasant or not welcome
    wave of:

    A fresh wave of selling sent technology stocks even lower.

    a frightening wave of drug-related killings

    1. a.
      a large number of people moving or arriving somewhere at the same time
      wave of:

      Waves of protesters began arriving at the stadium.

      in waves:

      Demonstrators came to the rally in waves.

    2. b.
      a period of activity that is part of a series of similar periods

      Much of Dresden was destroyed by wave after wave of bombing.

  3. 3
    a sudden strong feeling or emotion that a person or group of people has
    wave of:

    They were overcome by a wave of horror at the news.

    The scandal set off a wave of anger among local residents.

    She felt a wave of tiredness sweep over her.

  4. 5
    physics the way in which sound, light, a radio signal etc travels. It is represented by a line that curves upwards and then downwards again many times.
    1. a.
      a shape that has a series of curves, or a single one of these curves
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a person who has or claims to have a lot of influence

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