earthquake
word
Definition
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement in the earth’s crust. Earthquakes can be small or very powerful and may cause serious damage.
Usage & Nuances
A neutral, standard noun used in news, science, and everyday speech. Common collocations include "strong earthquake," "major earthquake," "earthquake damage," and "after an earthquake." Do not confuse it with "aftershock," which is a smaller shaking that happens after the main event.
Example Sentences
The earthquake damaged many houses.
basic
We felt an earthquake during the night.
basic
After the earthquake, the school was closed.
basic
Did you hear about the earthquake on the news this morning?
natural
The whole apartment shook for a few seconds during the earthquake.
natural
People were posting videos online right after the earthquake hit.
natural