earthquake

Pluralearthquakes

Formsearthquakes, earthquaking, earthquaked

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A shaking of the ground caused by rock suddenly moving deep below the surface.

   Like the shaking you feel when a big truck drives past your house, but much stronger and coming from deep underground.

   The earthquake knocked dishes off the shelves and cracked a window.

   Small earthquakes shake this valley a few times every year.

   Similarquake, tremor, temblor, shock

   Note
2. 2
   nounfigurativelycountable

   A sudden big change or shock that upsets everything around it.

   The news of the factory closing was an earthquake for the small town.

   Mom's new job in another city caused an earthquake in our family life.

   Similarupheaval, shock, convulsion, bombshell

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A ground shaking that happens on our planet Earth, not on the Moon or another world.

   Mars has quakes too, but an earthquake can only happen here on Earth.

   Astronauts on the Moon feel moonquakes, while people back on Earth feel earthquakes.

   Note
4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To shake and move because an earthquake is happening there.

   Some parts of Japan can earthquake many times in one year.

   The whole valley earthquaked while we were eating dinner.

   Similarquake, shake, tremble

   Note

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