Word
geological
Phoneticsge·o·log·i·cal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌdʒiəˈɫɑdʒɪkəɫ/
UK/dʒˌɪəlˈɒdʒɪkəl/
Geology
Definition
adj. relating to the study of the Earth's rocks, layers, and how they change over time. You use this to describe things that happen over millions of years.
adj. relating to the study of the Earth's physical structure and substance. Often used to describe processes or time scales that occur over extremely long periods.
Examples
“The Grand Canyon shows many geological layers.”
“Scientists use geological evidence from deep ice cores to understand how the planet's climate changed thousands of years ago.”
“The region's unique geological history, marked by volcanic activity and tectonic shifts, created a landscape that is both beautiful and dangerous for modern infrastructure projects.”
Examples
simple
“The Grand Canyon shows many geological layers.”
contextual
“Scientists use geological evidence from deep ice cores to understand how the planet's climate changed thousands of years ago.”
complex
“The region's unique geological history, marked by volcanic activity and tectonic shifts, created a landscape that is both beautiful and dangerous for modern infrastructure projects.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “geological” in context.
Usage
Typically precedes the noun it modifies; often used in the phrase 'geological time' to contrast with human history.
Real-World Examples
“This famous geological formation preserves fossils from near the end of the age of dinosaurs.” “In Sweden and Finland, geological uplift is producing a relative decline in sea level along parts of the coast.” “These unusual rocks, once seen as geological oddities, are now incredibly important because they hold many of the materials used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.” “The US Geological Survey said the quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region with a depth of 10 kilometres at 5.58am local time.” Etymology
From Renaissance Latin geōlogia + -ical; first attested slightly earlier than geology. By surface analysis, geo- + -logical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/geological