Standard Lemma guide

groundswell

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: G R AW1 N D S W EH2 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A broad undulation of the open ocean, often as the result of a distant disturbance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, nautical, sports, surfing, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A broadly-based shifting of public opinion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From ground + swell.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: мъртво вълнение (mǎrtvo vǎlnenie) — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • Finnish: perusmaininki — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • Finnish: groundswell — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • French: lame de fond — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • Galician: marusía — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • German: Grunddünung — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • German: Grundströmung — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • Irish: múisceán — broad undulation of the open ocean
  • Russian: нака́т (nakát) — broad undulation of the open ocean