ENGLISH
REFERENCE

seismic

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈsaɪzmɪk// UK //sˈaɪzmɪk// seis·mic

adj. relating to earthquakes or strong shaking. You also use it to describe a change that is huge and affects many people.

adj. relating to earthquakes or the vibration of the earth. Used figuratively to describe a change or event of great magnitude and impact.


SIMPLE

The news caused a seismic shift in public opinion.

CONTEXTUAL

The invention of the internet created a seismic change in how we communicate.

COMPLEX

Historians often cite the fall of the Berlin Wall as a seismic event that reshaped the political landscape of Europe and the world.

Synonyms
Origin

Based on Ancient Greek σεισμός (seismós, “shaking, earthquake”) + -ic, equivalent to seismo- + -ic.

Idioms1 entry

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