flood tide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “flood tide” mean?
The period or state of the tide when the water is rising and flowing inland.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period or state of the tide when the water is rising and flowing inland; high tide.
A peak, climax, or high point of any activity, feeling, or period; a culmination.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is consistent. Usage slightly more common in British nautical contexts.
Connotations
Both share literal and figurative connotations. The figurative use ('peak of success/activity') is equally understood.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, with slightly higher occurrence in UK coastal publications.
Grammar
How to Use “flood tide” in a Sentence
The flood tide of [NOUN PHRASE: e.g., public opinion, refugees]At the flood tide of [NOUN PHRASE][NOUN PHRASE] reached its flood tideVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flood tide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The channel will flood-tide around midday, allowing the boats to pass.
American English
- The bay flood-tides quickly, so timing is crucial.
adverb
British English
- The water was coming in flood-tide fast.
American English
- They sailed flood-tide, making excellent time.
adjective
British English
- They missed the flood-tide window and had to wait.
American English
- Check the flood-tide predictions before you go.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The company's profits were at flood tide in the third quarter.'
Academic
Used in historical/sociological contexts: 'The flood tide of industrialisation transformed society.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Possibly used descriptively: 'We set off at flood tide.'
Technical
Standard term in oceanography, navigation, and coastal engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flood tide”
- Using 'flood tide' to mean a destructive flood. Misplacing the article: 'at the flood tide' is correct, not 'at flood tide' (though both occur). Confusing it with 'spring tide' (a specific type of high tide).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'High tide' is the peak water level. 'Flood tide' is the process of the water rising *towards* high tide. They are often used interchangeably.
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to mean the peak or high point of something non-physical, like emotions, events, or trends.
The direct opposite is 'ebb tide', which is the period when the tide is falling or going out.
It's not common in everyday conversation. It's a standard technical term in maritime contexts and a recognised, somewhat literary metaphor in writing.
The period or state of the tide when the water is rising and flowing inland.
Flood tide is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Flood tide: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflʌd ˌtaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflʌd ˌtaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At flood tide”
- “Ride the flood tide of something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLOOD of water comes IN during FLOOD tide (like a river flooding its banks). Opposite of EBB tide, when water goes OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/SUCCESS IS A TIDE ('at the flood tide of one's career'), ABUNDANCE IS A FLOOD ('a flood tide of applications').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'flood tide'?