cascade
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small waterfall or a series of waterfalls that flow over steep rocks.
n.a small waterfall or a series of such falls, typically one of several in a stepped sequence.
Simple“The mountain stream formed a beautiful cascade as it flowed down the valley.”
In context“The hikers paused to admire the crystalline cascade that tumbled over the limestone ledges into a deep pool below.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a large amount of something that happens or arrives quickly in a series.
n.a process or sequence in which one event or item triggers a succession of others.
Simple“The mistake led to a cascade of problems that took all day to fix.”
In context“The sudden collapse of the regional bank triggered a cascade of financial failures across the entire sector.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a series of chemical or physical reactions where each step causes the next one.
n.a series of reactions or operations in which the product of one stage serves as the input for the next.
Simple“The drug works by stopping the chemical cascade that causes swelling.”
In context“The researchers mapped the signaling cascade responsible for cellular apoptosis in response to environmental stressors.”
Synonymschain reaction - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to fall or hang down in large amounts, like water or hair.
v.to fall, pour, or hang in a manner resembling a waterfall.
Simple“Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders.”
In context“Water cascaded from the broken pipe, flooding the basement within minutes of the rupture.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to pass information or tasks down through a group or organization.
v.to transmit information or requirements through the successive layers of a hierarchy.
Simple“The manager will cascade the new safety rules to the rest of the team.”
In context“The executive board decided to cascade the revised strategic objectives to all department heads during the quarterly briefing.”
Synonymspass downdisseminate
Usage cascading effects
“Emanuel took its theme from the paper that cascaded like snow from the twin towers after they were struck.”
“That group experimented with coloratura singing – cascades of notes – that would have blown people’s minds at the time.” The aristos were fully in on the action.”
From French cascade, from Italian cascata, from cascare (“to fall”), from Vulgar Latin cāsicāre, derived from Latin cadere, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱh₂d-.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.