noun · neutral
heatwave
/ˈhiːtˌweɪv/HEAT·wave
Band 7+speakingtask2
a prolonged period of excessively hot weather
Examples
“The region suffered its worst heatwave in decades.”
“Hospitals reported more heatstroke cases during the heatwave.”
“Cities struggle to cope with prolonged heatwaves.”
Band 8 sentence
“Extended heatwaves linked to climate change are increasing strain on healthcare and energy systems.”
Collocations
- record-breaking heatwave
- suffer a heatwave
- heatwave warning
Word family
heat-related adjective
Common mistakes
The city was hit by heatwave last week.→The city was hit by a heatwave last week.
There have been two heat wave this month.→There have been two heatwaves this month.
Say it for a higher band
5hot spell→6period of hot weather→7+heatwave
Synonyms
hot spell
Easily confused
hot spell
“We had a hot spell in June that ruined the crops.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Environment & Climate
Learn it with its set