heat wave
B1Neutral, used in formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A prolonged period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot weather, often with high humidity.
Any sustained period of intense activity, demand, or pressure; a metaphorical surge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to a meteorological phenomenon but can be used figuratively. Often implies a negative impact on health, infrastructure, or the environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. British English may more commonly use the hyphenated form 'heat-wave'. American media often references specific, severe heat waves (e.g., 'the 1995 Chicago heat wave').
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. In the UK, heat waves are often associated with unprepared infrastructure and transport disruptions. In parts of the US, they are a more regular seasonal hazard.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with increasing frequency in news reports due to climate change.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
A heat wave grips/hits/strikes [PLACE].[PLACE] is experiencing/suffering through a heat wave.A heat wave is forecast/expected for [REGION].The heat wave broke/ended.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The city was in the grip of a heat wave.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
May impact retail sales, utility demand, and workforce productivity. Example: 'The heat wave is expected to boost air conditioner sales.'
Academic
Used in climatology, environmental science, and public health studies. Example: 'The paper models urban mortality rates during historic heat waves.'
Everyday
Common in weather forecasts, small talk, and news reports. Example: 'We're staying indoors because of this awful heat wave.'
Technical
Meteorologically defined by specific temperature thresholds exceeded over consecutive days (definitions vary by country).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The country is set to heatwave for the rest of the week. (informal, rare)
American English
- The region will heatwave by mid-July. (informal, rare)
adjective
British English
- Heat-wave temperatures are forecast.
- Heat-wave-related deaths.
American English
- Heat wave conditions will persist.
- Heat wave warnings are in effect.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The weather is very hot. It is a heat wave.
- We have a heat wave this week.
- A dangerous heat wave is affecting southern Europe.
- During the heat wave, it's important to drink lots of water.
- The prolonged heat wave has led to drought conditions and strained the power grid.
- Meteorologists attribute the record-breaking heat wave to a persistent area of high pressure.
- Public health officials issued guidelines for coping with the impending heat wave, targeting vulnerable populations.
- The economic repercussions of the month-long heat wave included reduced agricultural yields and a spike in energy consumption.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sea: WAVEs of HEAT rolling over the land for days.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS A TIDAL FORCE / HEAT IS AN INVADER (e.g., a heat wave grips, hits, sweeps over, batters a region).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing as 'теплая волна' (warm wave) – the standard term is 'аномальная жара' or 'зной' (intense dry heat).
- Do not confuse with 'волна тепла' which is a technical physics/meteorology term for a different concept.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a single hot day (requires duration).
- Misspelling as one word ('heatwave' is common but 'heat wave' or 'heat-wave' are standard).
- Using with 'very' (redundant – heat waves are extreme by definition).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'heat wave'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitions vary by country. In the UK, it's at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding a threshold (often 25-28°C). In the US, definitions are more regional but also focus on prolonged duration.
A heat wave describes the *event* of prolonged heat. A 'heat dome' is a specific *meteorological cause*: a high-pressure system that traps hot air like a lid.
Yes. For example: 'A heat wave of protest swept through the country.' or 'The team is on a scoring heat wave.' It implies a sudden, intense, and sustained surge.
Both 'heat wave' (open compound) and 'heatwave' (closed compound) are widely accepted. Dictionaries often list both, with 'heat wave' being slightly more traditional. 'Heat-wave' (hyphenated) is less common but also correct.
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