World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesavalanche
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /a.va.lɑ̃ʃ/
"Une avalanche a bloqué la route de montagne."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.
"Skiers were warned of a high avalanche risk following the heavy overnight snowfall." - 2
A sudden arrival or occurrence of a vast quantity of things.
"The company received an avalanche of complaints after the controversial update."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the dialectal French word 'avalanche', an alteration of 'avanche', based on the Old French phrase 'a val' meaning 'downward' or 'to the valley', combined with elements from the Romance root for sliding. Entering the English lexicon in the late 18th century, it initially referred specifically to large masses of snow and ice tumbling down mountain slopes before expanding metaphorically to describe sudden, overwhelming arrivals of things.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Avalanche"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Avalanche" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
avalanche
Transliteration: /a.va.lɑ̃ʃ/
"Une avalanche a bloqué la route de montagne."
Lawine
Transliteration: /laˈviːnə/
"Die Lawine verschüttete das kleine Skigebiet."
valanga
Transliteration: /vaˈlan.ɡa/
"Gli sciatori sono stati travolti da una valanga."
alud
Transliteration: /aˈluð/
"El alud de nieve obligó a cerrar la estación de esquí."
avalanche
Transliteration: /a.vaˈlɐ̃.tʃi/
"A avalanche destruiu várias cabanas na montanha."
हिमस्खलन
Transliteration: himsakhalan
"पहाड़ी इलाके में हिमस्खलन के कारण रास्ता बंद हो गया।"
雪崩
Transliteration: xuěbēng
"搜救队员正在雪崩现场寻找失踪人员。"
눈사태
Transliteration: nunsatae
"폭설로 인해 등산로에 눈사태가 발생했습니다."
雪崩
Transliteration: nadare
"スキーヤーが雪崩に巻き込まれて救助された。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsTo think carefully about something, typically before making a decision.
A formal, documented account of findings, investigations, or statistics issued by an authoritative body or government agency.
Used to express pleasure, realization, surprise, or understanding.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Avalanche"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.