turbulence

CEFRB2

/ˈtɜː.bjə.ləns/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Strong, irregular movement of air or water.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    Disturbance in a gas or fluid, characterized by evidence of internal motion or unrest.

Examples

  • A bird flying out of the water is careful not to cause turbulence.

  • We had a rough flight because of turbulence.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Specifically, a state of agitation or disturbance in the air which is disruptive to an aircraft.

  2. The state or fact of being turbulent or agitated; tempestuousness, disturbance.

  3. An instance or type of such state or disturbance.

More examples

In context

  • We are currently experiencing some turbulence.

  • In a brief and abashed Tory conference speech, Kwarteng admitted it had been a “tough day” – hours after rowing back on the tax cut for high earners. He said his economic plan had caused “a little turbulence”.

  • Turbulence was everywhere, within every blade of grass, every drop of dew on a leaf, every cloud in the sky, and every star beyond. The turbulence was purposeless, but in huge quantities of purposeless turbulence, purpose took shape.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The airplane experienced severe blank during the storm, causing passengers to feel uneasy.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English turbulence (“turbidity, cloudiness”), from Late Latin turbulentia (“trouble, disquiet”). By surface analysis, turbulent + -ence.