ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tidal

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtaɪdəɫ// UK //tˈaɪdəl// tidal

adj. connected to the regular rise and fall of the ocean. You use this to describe things that change or move because of the sea's natural rhythm.

adj. relating to, caused by, or having tides. Describes phenomena influenced by the periodic rise and fall of sea levels resulting from gravitational forces.


SIMPLE

The tidal waves crash against the shore every morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The small island is only accessible by foot during low tide because of the dangerous tidal currents.

COMPLEX

Ecologists are studying how the tidal fluctuations in the estuary affect the breeding patterns of local bird species that rely on the exposed mudflats for food.

Origin

From tide + -al. Probably a hybrid formation within English. Alternatively it might be from an unattested British Medieval Latin *tīdālis, derived from rare tīda, from Old English tīd. The usual Latin word for “tidal” is aestuālis.

Usage

Typically precedes the noun it modifies; often used in technical or geographical contexts.

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