- 1[countable, uncountable] a regular rise and fall in the level of the ocean, caused by the pull of the moon and sun; the flow of water that happens as the ocean rises and falls the ebb and flow of the tide The tide is in/out. Is the tide coming in or going out? The body was washed up on the beach by the tide. see high tide, low tide, neap tide, spring tide
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2[countable, usually singular] the direction in which the opinion of a large number of people seems to be moving It takes courage to speak out against the tide of opinion. There is a growing tide of opposition to the idea. a tide of optimism
- 3[countable, usually singular] a large amount of something unpleasant that is increasing and is difficult to control There is anxiety about the rising tide of crime. Measures have been taken to stem the tide of pornography (= stop it from getting worse).
- 4[singular] tide of something a feeling that you suddenly have that gets stronger and stronger A tide of rage surged through her.
- 5-tide [singular] (old use) (in compounds) a time or season of the year Christmastide Idioms
to agree with/oppose the attitudes or opinions that most other people have
used to say that there is a change in someone's luck or in how successful they are being The tide turned for Nadal at the start of the second set. This contract is probably our last chance to turn the tide.
Check pronunciation: tide