# tsunami

> English word · Noun · IPA /(t)suːˈnɑːmi/ · frequency rank #14,655

## Definitions
1. A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption; often a series of waves (a wave train).
2. A large and generally unstoppable surge.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 津波 (tsunami), from 津 (tsu, “harbour”) + 波 (nami, “wave”).

## Common misspellings (10)
`stunami`, `tsnuami`, `tssunami`, `tsuanmi`, `tsunaim`, `tsunammi`, `tsunmai`, `tsunnami`, `ttsunami`, `tusnami`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/tsunami