# tide

/ˈtaɪd/ (US) · /tˈaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tide
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. ocean movement

noun · CEFR B1

the regular rise and fall of the sea level caused by the moon and sun.

For teachers: the periodic rise and fall of the waters of the ocean and its inlets, produced by the attraction of the moon and sun.

- The children built a sandcastle, but the tide came in and washed it away.
- The fishing boats remained anchored in the harbour, waiting for the tide to turn before they could safely navigate the shallow channel.

Usage: Usually used with 'the'.

### 2. a trend or direction

noun · CEFR B2

the general direction in which something is moving or changing, like public opinion.

For teachers: the tendency or direction of causes, influences, or events; a metaphorical current of opinion or history.

- The tide of public opinion is finally starting to change regarding climate laws.
- Political analysts observed that the tide of popular support was shifting toward the opposition as the economic crisis deepened.

### 4. to help through a difficult time

verb · CEFR B2

to help someone survive a difficult period, usually by providing money or food.

For teachers: to support or sustain someone through a period of difficulty or scarcity; almost exclusively used in the phrasal verb 'tide over'.

- Could you lend me twenty dollars to tide me over until payday?
- The emergency grant was intended to tide the small business over until the insurance claim could be fully processed.

Usage: Usually appears as 'tide someone over'.

## Examples

- The tide comes in and covers the beach every afternoon.
- We had to move our towels further up the beach because the tide was rising quickly.
- The fishing boats remained grounded in the harbor, waiting for the incoming tide to provide enough depth for them to clear the sandbar and reach the open sea.

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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.