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flood

noun/fləd/

definition

an excessive amount of water which overflows onto land

example

Food, supplies and equipment are urgently needed in the villages that have remained cut off by the flood for two days.

synonyms
overflow
word origin — Old English flōd, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloed and German Flut, also to flow

Intermediate — Set 53

Set 53 of Intermediate covers 5 words: flood, impact, pollution, disaster, erosion. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. flood · noun/fləd/

    an excessive amount of water which overflows onto land

    Food, supplies and equipment are urgently needed in the villages that have remained cut off by the flood for two days.

    Synonyms: overflow

    Origin: Old English flōd, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloed and German Flut, also to flow

  2. impact · noun/ˈɪmˌpæk(t)/

    a strong effect

    The government should begin investing in solutions to reduce environmental impacts of factories close to the city center immediately.

    Synonyms: effect, influence

    Origin: early 17th century (as a verb in the sense ‘press closely, fix firmly’): from Latin impact- ‘driven in’, from the verb impingere (see impinge)

  3. pollution · noun/pəˈluʃ(ə)n/

    the state of the natural environment getting dirty

    Water pollution is the leading cause of sickness and death, and 50% of the people in hospitals suffer from water-related illnesses.

    Synonyms: dirtiness, contamination

    Origin: late Middle English: from Latin pollutio(n-), from the verb polluere (see pollute)

  4. disaster · noun/dəˈzæstər/

    an event resulting in great loss and ruin

    Almost everyone claims that they are concerned about natural disasters such as an earthquakes or floods, yet most of them admit that they don't have a plan if they happen.

    Synonyms: accident, trouble, catastrophe

    Origin: mid 16th century: from Italian disastro ‘ill-starred event’, from dis- (expressing negation) + astro ‘star’ (from Latin astrum)

  5. erosion · noun/əˈroʊʒ(ə)n/

    a condition in which the earth's surface is worn away because of water and/or wind

    Deforestation has a lot of negative impacts on human beings, animals and properties as it leads to erosion of the soil causing destruction of houses, crops and habitats.

    Synonyms: corrosion

    Origin: mid 16th century: via French from Latin erosio(n-), from erodere ‘wear or gnaw away’ (see erode)