dynamics
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the way that people in a group behave toward each other and how this changes over time.
the forces or properties which stimulate growth, change, or development within a system or group.
Simple“The team dynamics changed completely when the new manager arrived.”
In context“The consultant spent a week observing the office dynamics to understand why communication between the departments had broken down so significantly.”
UsageUsually plural in this sense.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
how loud or quiet a piece of music or a sound is.
the varying levels of volume of sound in a musical performance or recording.
Simple“The pianist used soft dynamics to make the song sound very peaceful.”
In context“The conductor urged the brass section to observe the dynamics more closely, as their fortissimo was drowning out the delicate woodwind melody.”
UsageAlways plural in a musical context.
- 03 C1 Advanced
the science of how forces make objects move.
the branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of bodies under the action of forces.
Simple“In physics class, we studied the dynamics of a falling object.”
In context“Advanced fluid dynamics is essential for engineers designing the aerodynamic profile of high-speed racing cars.”
UsageTreated as a singular noun when referring to the field of study.
“This is not so much a playful game of truth or dare as a carefully orchestrated experiment around group dynamics and exposure.”
“The team’s description of harbor porpoise mating dynamics, published in 2018 , was the first of its kind for any porpoise species.”
From dynamic + -ics.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.