Word
geothermal
Phoneticsgeo·ther·mal
US/ˌdʒioʊˈθɝməɫ/
UK/dʒˌiːəʊθˈɜːməl/
Geology
Definition
adj. relating to the heat that comes from inside the earth. You usually hear this word when people talk about clean energy or hot springs.
adj. relating to or produced by the internal heat of the earth. Often describes energy sources or geological features like geysers and hot springs.
Examples
“The city uses geothermal energy to heat homes.”
“Iceland produces a significant portion of its electricity by tapping into geothermal reservoirs deep underground.”
“Engineers are exploring enhanced geothermal systems that could potentially harness heat from dry rock layers, significantly expanding the geographic availability of this renewable resource.”
Examples
simple
“The city uses geothermal energy to heat homes.”
contextual
“Iceland produces a significant portion of its electricity by tapping into geothermal reservoirs deep underground.”
complex
“Engineers are exploring enhanced geothermal systems that could potentially harness heat from dry rock layers, significantly expanding the geographic availability of this renewable resource.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'energy', 'power', or 'heating'.
Real-World Examples
“The proposed facility was to run on geothermal energy and eventually scale to as much as 1 gigawatt of capacity.” “It poses no immediate danger, but the discovery reveals how enormous volcanic systems can remain hidden and could transform the search for geothermal energy and critical minerals.” Etymology
From geo- + thermal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
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 C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/geothermal