# seismic

/ˈsaɪzmɪk/ (US) · /sˈaɪzmɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seismic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. related to earthquakes

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

related to or caused by earthquakes and the way the ground moves.

For teachers: relating to or caused by earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth and its crust.

- The city is located in a seismic zone where small earthquakes are common.
- Seismic sensors placed along the fault line detected subtle tremors that preceded the major earthquake by several hours.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. huge and impactful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

having a very big, important, or sudden effect on a situation.

For teachers: denoting an event or change of enormous proportions or having a highly significant impact.

- The invention of the smartphone caused a seismic shift in how we communicate.
- The sudden collapse of the major investment bank sent seismic shocks through the global financial markets, leading to a decade of instability.

Teaching tip: This figurative use is very common in journalism and academic writing to describe social or political changes.

## Examples

- The news caused a seismic shift in public opinion.
- The invention of the internet created a seismic change in how we communicate.
- Historians often cite the fall of the Berlin Wall as a seismic event that reshaped the political landscape of Europe and the world.

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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.