swell waves

USAGE SUMMARY

"swell waves" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to describe large ocean waves, usually the kind that are seen near the shore. Example: The beachfront was empty, except for a few people admiring the beautiful swell waves crashing against the shore.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

So depending on the circumstances, with locally-generated waves already 3.5m high and storm swell waves from the Norwegian Sea up to 5m, local communities could in the future face a severe battering.

The Guardian

Energetic swell waves present a significant coastal hazard.

Continental Shelf Research

Waves are classified into long-period swell waves and short-period lippers.

Ocean Engineering

Generally, it is concluded that the Rayleigh-distribution is under-predicting the low-exceedance wave heights in irregular swell waves.

Coastal Engineering

Using observed grain size data, mobilisation from swell waves occurred on ∼31% and tidal currents on ∼41% of the continental shelf.

Marine Geology

The analysis shows that tsunami, as well as large swell waves, are capable of quarrying the megaclast, provided that sufficient initial fracturing is present.

Sedimentary Geology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In a typhoon it is a swell wave height change.

Ocean Engineering

The propagation characteristics of swell energy are important for applications such as swell wave power generation, ocean wave forecasting, disaster prevention and reduction, etc.

Applied Energy

When wave buoy measurements are analyzed using spectral partitioning methods, it is possible to identify swell wave systems with significant energy within the overall spectrum.

Continental Shelf Research

(1) empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and 6-hourly zonaveragesges of swell wave power density (WPD) show that the Indian Ocean swell energy has an obvious but fluctuating northeastward propagation.

Applied Energy

In addition, swell wave fields can occur in presence of weak local wind conditions, where the roughness of the sea surface is low, and the backscattering mechanisms are weak.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, consider using simpler terms like "large waves" if the specific characteristic of a swell is not essential to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "swollen waves" when you mean "swell waves". "Swollen" describes an increase in size due to internal pressure or fluid, which is not the characteristic of ocean swells. Make sure to use "swell" to indicate the type of wave.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swell waves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of ocean wave. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe large ocean waves that have traveled a considerable distance. Examples in Ludwig show its use in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swell waves" is a correct and usable noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, commonly used to describe large ocean waves originating from distant sources. Its usage spans across scientific, news, and general contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. While synonyms like "large waves" exist, "swell waves" provides a more specific categorization. Remember to differentiate it from "swollen waves", which has a different meaning. By understanding its proper context and usage, you can effectively communicate about ocean wave phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ground swells

Focuses on the origin of the swell, emphasizing its propagation from a distant source.

ocean swells

Broadens the context to include any swell occurring in the ocean.

large waves

Simplifies the description to indicate significant wave size, omitting the swell characteristic.

sea waves

General term for waves in the sea, not necessarily swells.

rolling waves

Emphasizes the motion of the waves rather than their origin or size.

storm waves

Highlights the cause of the waves as being generated by a storm.

surface waves

Describes waves that are on the surface of the water

wind-generated waves

Focuses on the generating mechanism (wind) rather than the wave characteristic.

massive waves

Highlights the large size of the waves.

giant waves

Emphasizes the extreme size of the waves.

FAQs

How are "swell waves" different from regular waves?

"Swell waves" are typically larger, have longer wavelengths, and travel greater distances from their origin compared to locally generated wind waves. They carry energy from distant storms to coastal areas.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "swell waves"?

The term "swell waves" is appropriate in scientific, meteorological, and coastal engineering contexts when discussing wave characteristics, energy propagation, and coastal hazards. It's also used in surfing reports.

What are some synonyms for "swell waves"?

While not exact synonyms, you can use terms like "ground swells", "ocean swells", or "large waves" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Are "swell waves" always caused by storms?

While many "swell waves" are generated by distant storms, they can also be caused by other disturbances such as underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The key characteristic is that they've traveled a significant distance from their source.