mudslide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mudslide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a geological event where a large amount of mud and debris flows down a slope, often due to heavy rainfall or other factors. Example: "After the heavy rains, the area was devastated by a mudslide that destroyed several homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here, too, is a man who goes to bat for evolution; he is pushing for the National Park Service to designate as such a site near Waco where two dozen mammoths were swallowed in a mudslide.

The Economist

The road was opened to some traffic a few days later, only to be blocked again by another mudslide.

The Economist

It looks more like an enormous mudslide than a frozen reservoir of fresh water.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the latest disclosure from Edward Snowden claimed that the NSA had hacked into the internal corporate servers used by Huawei, a big Chinese maker of telecoms equipment.Sixteen people were confirmed to have been killed by a mudslide that swept through a village in Washington state after a period of heavy rain.

The Economist

Most people were asleep when the mudslide hit at about 3am on October 6th.

The Economist

George Bush will make his first visit to India in early March.A vast mudslide was feared to have killed more than 1,000 people on the island of Leyte in the Philippines.

The Economist

Seven women died when a mudslide buried a house in Tolima on December 5th.

The Economist

See articleMore than 80 prisoners were killed in a fire that broke out during a fight by rival gangs in an overcrowded jail in Santiago, Chile's capital.At least 100 people were feared dead after a mudslide buried homes in a poor suburb of Medellín in Colombia.

The Economist

But South America's worst reported disaster happily never occurred: a Bolivian goldmine was indeed buried in a mudslide, but earlier flooding had already driven the 70-80 supposed victims to leave.Yet the true toll is surely far worse.

The Economist

Overall, floods have displaced around 250,000 Mexicans in 2010.UPDATE: The mudslide appears to have been much less deadly than than early reports had indicated.

The Economist

Even when poor people moving to cities know they are increasing their risk of dying in a mudslide or flood, that is more than compensated for by the better-paying work available in cities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the aftermath of a "mudslide", use precise language to convey the scale and impact, such as "homes buried", "roads blocked", or "lives lost".

Common error

Avoid using "landslide" and "mudslide" interchangeably. "Mudslide" specifically refers to a flow of mud, while "landslide" is a broader term for any downhill movement of earth or rock.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mudslide" is as a noun. It typically refers to a geological event or a type of disaster. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe events that cause damage and loss of life. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mudslide" is a noun used to describe a geological event where a large amount of mud flows down a slope. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. The term is very common, particularly in News & Media contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While often used interchangeably with "landslide", "mudslide" specifically denotes a flow of mud. For alternative expressions, consider "mudflow" or "debris flow". When writing about "mudslide", be specific about the scale and impact and avoid confusing it with the broader term "landslide".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

landslide

Focuses on the broader category of earth movements, not specifically mud.

mudflow

Synonymous term, emphasizing the fluid nature of the event.

debris flow

Highlights the presence of various materials mixed with the mud.

avalanche of mud

Uses "avalanche" to describe the mud.

earthflow

Emphasizes the movement of earth material, less specific than "mudslide".

slope failure

Describes the general mechanism causing the slide.

earth slip

Suggests a sudden, rapid movement of earth.

mass wasting event

A broader term encompassing various types of soil and rock movement.

ground collapse

Focuses on the sinking or caving-in aspect of the ground.

political upheaval

Metaphorical use, referring to a sudden and significant change in a political system.

FAQs

How is a "mudslide" different from a landslide?

While both involve the movement of earth down a slope, a "mudslide" specifically involves a flow of mud, typically with a high water content. A landslide is a broader term and can include rock, soil, and debris.

What causes a "mudslide"?

Mudslides are commonly triggered by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or other factors that saturate the ground, making it unstable. Deforestation and construction on steep slopes can also increase the risk.

What are the synonyms for "mudslide"?

Synonyms include "mudflow" and "debris flow". These terms are often used interchangeably, but "debris flow" may imply a greater mix of materials in the flow.

How can I use the word "mudslide" in a sentence?

Example: "The heavy rains caused a devastating "mudslide" that swept through the village, destroying homes and blocking roads."