# cataracts

/ˈkætɝˌækts/ (US) · /kˈætɐɹˌækts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cataracts
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. eye condition

noun · CEFR B2

a medical condition where the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, making it hard to see clearly.

For teachers: a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. Often plural when referring to the condition in both eyes.

- My grandfather had surgery to remove his cataracts and now he can see much better.
- Advances in outpatient surgery have made the removal of cataracts a routine procedure with a high success rate for restoring visual acuity.

Usage: Usually used in the plural when discussing the medical condition.

### 2. waterfall

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a very large, powerful waterfall or a sudden rush of water.

For teachers: a large waterfall or a sudden, violent downpour of water.

- The river turned into a series of dangerous cataracts as it moved down the mountain.
- The explorers struggled to navigate their rafts through the thunderous cataracts that blocked the narrow canyon passage.

### 3. floodgates of heaven

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

an old-fashioned way to describe heavy rain falling from the sky.

For teachers: the floodgates of heaven; used to describe the source of a massive deluge or downpour.

- The rain fell so hard it felt as if the cataracts of heaven had opened.
- In the ancient text, the author describes the great flood as the opening of the cataracts of heaven upon the parched earth.

## Examples

- She had surgery to remove the cataracts from her eyes.
- After years of working outdoors without sunglasses, he developed cataracts that eventually required a medical procedure to restore his vision.
- While cataracts are typically a natural consequence of the aging process, they can also be induced by trauma, certain medications, or systemic health conditions like diabetes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.