undulating waves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'undulating waves' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an image of moving, curling waves, such as in the sentence, "The undulating waves of the ocean lapped rhythmically against the shore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Light is usually thought of as having undulating waves.

The New York Times - Science

Most crawl between soil particles or among the villi of a host's gut by undulating waves of muscular contraction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ceiling of the cool-white concert hall consists of undulating waves of acoustic panels that resemble abstract art.

The New York Times - Arts

It consists of seven tons of uncooked white rice, interspersed with six glowing neon tubes, spread out in undulating waves on the Tate's floor.

The Economist

The cyclostomes are free-swimming animals with prominent axial somatic musculature, which during contraction produces undulating waves that propagate from head to tail to produce thrust.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even as Vicky Shick's arms push forward and back like undulating waves, the dancer — in a billowy fuchsia dress — moves with seemingly little force.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

An undulating wave of gray concrete slats shade its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The New Yorker

The Heydar Aliyev Center, an undulating wave of concrete and glass, was designed by Zaha Hadid.

The New Yorker

Mr. Weymouth's striking building is a concrete trapezoid wrapped in an undulating wave of glass and steel.

The New York Times - Travel

The designer David Serrano, one of the store's owners, created the cloudlike form and undulating wave detail.

The New York Times

Composites with straight channel and undulating wave-shaped channel architectures are created and tested in both longitudinal and transverse orientations.

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing landscapes or abstract concepts, use "undulating waves" to evoke a sense of flowing movement and rhythm. For example, "The solar panels were arranged in undulating waves across the softly rolling hills".

Common error

Avoid using "undulating waves" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terminology is required. While evocative, it may lack the specificity needed for detailed analysis. For example, instead of saying "undulating waves of ridge formation," use the proper scientific term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undulating waves" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "undulating", which describes a wavelike motion or form, with the noun "waves", creating a vivid image of something moving in a flowing, rhythmic manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undulating waves" is a grammatically correct and frequently used descriptive phrase that conjures imagery of flowing movement and rhythmic patterns. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across a variety of contexts, especially within news reporting, encyclopedic descriptions, and scientific writing. While versatile, remember to consider your audience and opt for more precise language in highly technical contexts. The phrase effectively serves to enhance descriptions and convey a sense of graceful, rhythmic motion, as evidenced by its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rolling undulations

Replaces "waves" with "undulations", emphasizing the repetitive rising and falling motion.

wavelike motions

Uses "wavelike" to describe similar movement patterns, focusing on the visual resemblance to waves.

rippling surges

Emphasizes the surging aspect of the waves, suggesting a more dynamic and powerful movement.

flowing curves

Shifts the focus to the curved shape of the waves, highlighting their smooth and continuous form.

meandering crests

Highlights the winding and turning nature of the wave crests.

billowing swells

Emphasizes the large, rounded form of the waves, suggesting a gentle, swelling motion.

serpentine forms

Uses the imagery of a serpent to describe the wave's shape, emphasizing its winding and curving nature.

oscillating rhythms

Focuses on the rhythmic aspect of the waves, highlighting their regular and repeated motion.

sweeping arcs

Highlights the broad, curving shape of the waves, emphasizing their expansive and graceful movement.

contoured surfaces

Shifts the focus from movement to the shape of the waves as a surface with contours.

FAQs

How can I use "undulating waves" in a sentence?

You can use "undulating waves" to describe physical phenomena, such as "The sunlight reflected off the "undulating waves" of the ocean" or abstract concepts, such as "The music created "undulating waves" of emotion".

What are some synonyms for "undulating waves"?

Some synonyms for "undulating waves" include "rolling undulations", "wavelike motions", and "rippling surges". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "undulating waves" in formal writing?

Yes, "undulating waves" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when aiming to create a vivid and descriptive image. However, consider the context and audience. In highly technical or scientific contexts, more precise terminology might be preferable.

Can "undulating waves" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "undulating waves" can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical phenomena that exhibit a similar pattern of rise and fall. For example, you might describe "oscillating rhythms" in stock market trends as "undulating waves".