Word
sinkhole
Phoneticssink·hole, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɪŋkˌhoʊɫ/
UK/sˈɪŋkhəʊl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large hole in the ground that suddenly appears. It is usually caused by water washing away the soil or rock underneath the surface.
n. a depression or hole in the ground surface, typically caused by the collapse of the surface layer or the dissolution of underlying soluble rock.
Examples
“A large sinkhole opened up in the middle of the street.”
“Heavy rains over several weeks weakened the limestone bedrock, eventually causing a massive sinkhole to swallow the old farmhouse.”
“Geologists monitor the region for signs of subsidence, as the porous limestone is highly susceptible to the formation of a sinkhole following a prolonged period of drought followed by intense rainfall.”
Examples
simple
“A large sinkhole opened up in the middle of the street.”
contextual
“Heavy rains over several weeks weakened the limestone bedrock, eventually causing a massive sinkhole to swallow the old farmhouse.”
complex
“Geologists monitor the region for signs of subsidence, as the porous limestone is highly susceptible to the formation of a sinkhole following a prolonged period of drought followed by intense rainfall.”
Real-World Examples
“G rief is a sinkhole, opening up where real life once stood.” “Walker and her colleagues collected historical animal bones from Green Waterhole and Gouldens Sinkhole, two underwater cave systems near Mount Gambier, South Australia.” Etymology
From Middle English sinkehole, sinkeholl, equivalent to sink + hole.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sinkhole