Wave vs. Swell — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Waves are generally smaller surface oscillations caused by wind, while swells are larger waves that have traveled out of their generating area.
Difference Between Wave and Swell
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Waves are created by the local wind on the surface of the water, generating smaller, more irregular patterns. On the other hand, swells are formed by distant weather systems and are characterized by their smoother, more uniform appearance.
The height of waves can vary greatly depending on wind speed and fetch (the distance over which the wind blows), whereas swells, having traveled long distances, tend to have a more consistent and significant height.
Waves often break more quickly and are less predictable, making them ideal for certain water sports like surfing. Swells, on the other hand, provide a more stable ride because of their long wavelengths and gradual build-up.
The energy of waves dissipates relatively quickly as they are closely tied to local winds. Conversely, swells can carry energy across entire ocean basins, maintaining their power over great distances.
In terms of navigation and marine operations, waves present more immediate challenges due to their erratic nature, while swells can indicate more persistent weather patterns and affect sea conditions over a wider area.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Generated by local winds
Generated by distant storms
Characteristics
Smaller, more chaotic
Larger, smoother, more uniform
Impact on Navigation
Erratic, more challenging
Predictable, indicates distant weather
Suitability for Sports
Preferred for surfing
Provides stable, long rides
Travel Distance
Short-lived, local effect
Long-range, across oceans
Compare with Definitions
Wave
A disturbance on the surface of a liquid body, such as the sea, especially one that causes a vertical movement of the surface.
The boat rocked violently as it hit the wave.
Swell
A long wave on water that moves continuously without breaking.
The sailor watched the swell rise gently under the moonlight.
Wave
A shape that alternatively rises and falls.
She styled her hair in soft waves.
Swell
To grow in force or loudness.
The chorus of voices swelled to a crescendo.
Wave
A sudden unusually large amount of something that is temporarily experienced.
A wave of immigrants entered the country.
Swell
To increase in size or volume as a result of internal pressure; expand.
Her ankle swelled up after the fall.
Wave
Any surging or progressing movement or part resembling a wave of the sea.
A wave of enthusiasm swept over the crowd.
Swell
To rise or extend above the surrounding level, as clouds.
Dark clouds began to swell on the horizon.
Wave
An oscillation accompanied by a transfer of energy that travels through space or mass.
Radio waves enable wireless communication across distances.
Swell
A gradual increase in intensity or amount.
The music reached a swell during the climax of the performance.
Wave
In physics, mathematics, and related fields, a wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities, sometimes as described by a wave equation. In physical waves, at least two field quantities in the wave medium are involved.
Swell
To grow in loudness or intensity
"The din in front swelled to a tremendous chorus" (Stephen Crane).
Wave
Move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
He waved to me from the train
Swell
To bulge out, as a sail.
Wave
Move to and fro with a swaying motion while remaining fixed to one point
The flag waved in the wind
Swell
To rise in swells, as the sea.
Wave
Style (hair) so that it curls slightly
Her hair had been carefully waved for the evening
Swell
To be or become filled or puffed up, as with pride, arrogance, or anger.
Wave
A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore
He was swept out to sea by a freak wave
Swell
To cause to increase in volume, size, number, degree, or intensity
The governor's full public disclosure only swelled the chorus of protests.
Wave
A sudden occurrence of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion
Fear came over me in waves
A wave of strikes had paralysed the government
Swell
To fill with emotion.
Wave
A gesture or signal made by moving one's hand to and fro
He gave a little wave and walked off
Swell
The act or process of swelling.
Wave
A slightly curling lock of hair
His hair was drying in unruly waves
Swell
The condition of being swollen.
Wave
A periodic disturbance of the particles of a substance which may be propagated without net movement of the particles, such as in the passage of undulating motion, heat, or sound.
Swell
A swollen part; a bulge or protuberance.
Wave
A member of the women's reserve of the US Navy, organized during World War II, but now no longer a separate branch.
Swell
A rise in the land; a rounded elevation.
Wave
A ridge or swell moving through or along the surface of a large body of water.
Swell
(Informal) One who is fashionably dressed or socially prominent
Society swells.
Wave
A small ridge or swell moving across the interface of two fluids and dependent on surface tension.
Swell
A crescendo followed by a gradual diminuendo.
Wave
Often waves The sea
Vanished beneath the waves.
Swell
The sign indicating such a crescendo.
Wave
A moving curve or succession of curves in or on a surface; an undulation
Waves of wheat in the wind.
Swell
A device on an instrument, such as an organ or harpsichord, for regulating volume.
Wave
A curve or succession of curves, as in the hair.
Swell
Fashionably elegant; stylish.
Wave
A curved shape, outline, or pattern.
Swell
Excellent; wonderful
Had a swell time.
Wave
A movement up and down or back and forth
A wave of the hand.
Swell
(intransitive) To become bigger, especially due to being engorged.
Wave
A surge or rush, as of sensation
A wave of nausea.
A wave of indignation.
Swell
(transitive) To cause to become bigger.
Rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring.
Wave
A sudden great rise, as in activity or intensity
A wave of panic selling on the stock market.
Swell
(intransitive) To grow gradually in force or loudness.
The organ music swelled.
Wave
A rising trend that involves large numbers of individuals
A wave of conservatism.
Swell
(transitive) To cause to grow gradually in force or loudness.
Wave
One of a succession of mass movements
The first wave of settlers.
Swell
(transitive) To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate.
To be swelled with pride or haughtiness
Wave
A maneuver in which fans at a sports event simulate an ocean wave by rising quickly in sequence with arms upraised and then quickly sitting down again in a continuous rolling motion.
Swell
(intransitive) To be raised to arrogance.
Wave
A widespread, persistent meteorological condition, especially of temperature
A heat wave.
Swell
To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
Wave
A disturbance that travels through a medium. Energy is transferred by a wave from one region of the medium to another without causing any permanent displacement of the medium.
Swell
To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant.
Swelling words
A swelling style
Wave
A graphic representation of the variation of such a disturbance with time.
Swell
To protuberate; to bulge out.
A cask swells in the middle.
Wave
A single cycle of a periodic wave.
Swell
The act of swelling; increase in size.
Wave
To move freely back and forth or up and down in the air, as branches in the wind.
Swell
A bulge or protuberance.
Wave
To make a signal with an up-and-down or back-and-forth movement of the hand or an object held in the hand
Waved as she drove by.
Swell
Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
Wave
To have an undulating or wavy form; curve or curl
Her hair waves naturally.
Swell
(music) A gradual crescendo followed by diminuendo.
Wave
To cause to move back and forth or up and down, either once or repeatedly
She waved a fan before her face.
Swell
(music) A device for controlling the volume of a pipe organ.
Wave
To move or swing as in giving a signal
He waved his hand.
Swell
(music) A division in a pipe organ, usually the largest enclosed division.
Wave
To signal or express by waving the hand or an object held in the hand
We waved goodbye.
Swell
A hillock or similar raised area of terrain.
Wave
To signal (a person) by using the hand to move in a specified direction
The police officer waved the motorist into the right lane.
Swell
(geology) An upward protrusion of strata from whose central region the beds dip quaquaversally at a low angle.
Wave
To arrange into curves, curls, or undulations
Wave one's hair.
Swell
A person who is stylish, fancy, or elegant.
Wave
(intransitive) To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.
The flag waved in the gentle breeze.
Swell
(informal) A person of high social standing; an important person.
Wave
(intransitive) To move one’s hand back and forth (generally above the shoulders) in greeting or departure.
Swell
The front brow of a saddle bow, connected in the tree by the two saddle bars to the cantle on the other end.
Wave
To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate.
I waved goodbye from across the room.
Swell
(dated) Fashionable, like a swell or dandy.
Wave
(intransitive) To have an undulating or wavy form.
Swell
Excellent.
Wave
(transitive) To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form or surface to.
Swell
Very well.
Wave
(transitive) To produce waves to the hair.
Swell
To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.
Wave
To swing and miss at a pitch.
Jones waves at strike one.
Swell
To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
Wave
(transitive) To cause to move back and forth repeatedly.
The starter waved the flag to begin the race.
Swell
To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do at scarlet.
Wave
To signal (someone or something) with a waving movement.
Swell
To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
Wave
To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state.
Swell
To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
Wave
To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft.
Swell
To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
Wave
To generate a wave.
Swell
To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
Your equal mind yet swells not into state.
Wave
Obsolete spelling of waive
Swell
To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
Wave
A moving disturbance in the level of a body of liquid; an undulation.
The wave traveled from the center of the lake before breaking on the shore.
Swell
To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
Wave
(poetic) The ocean.
Swell
To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock.
Wave
(physics) A moving disturbance in the energy level of a field.
Gravity waves, while predicted by theory for decades, have been notoriously difficult to detect.
Swell
To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.
[The Church] swells her high, heart-cheering tone.
Wave
A shape that alternatingly curves in opposite directions.
Her hair had a nice wave to it.
Sine wave
Swell
To aggravate; to heighten.
It is low ebb with his accuser when such peccadilloes are put to swell the charge.
Wave
Any of a number of species of moths in the geometrid subfamily Sterrhinae, which have wavy markings on the wings.
Swell
To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.
Wave
A loose back-and-forth movement, as of the hands.
He dismissed her with a wave of the hand.
Swell
To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.
Wave
(figuratively) A sudden, but temporary, uptick in something.
A wave of shoppers stampeded through the door when the store opened for its Christmas discount special.
A wave of retirees began moving to the coastal area.
A wave of emotion overcame her when she thought about her son who was killed in battle.
Swell
The act of swelling.
Wave
One of the successive swarms of enemies sent to attack the player in certain games.
Swell
Gradual increase.
Little River affords navigation during a swell to within three miles of the Miami.
Wave
(usually "the wave") A group activity in a crowd imitating a wave going through water, where people in successive parts of the crowd stand and stretch upward, then sit.
Swell
Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.
Music arose with its voluptuous swell.
Wave
See Waive.
Swell
A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.
Wave
To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the other; to float; to flutter; to undulate.
His purple robes waved careless to the winds.
Where the flags of three nations has successively waved.
Swell
Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
The swell and subsidence of his periods.
Wave
To be moved to and fro as a signal.
Swell
A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor.
The swellOf the long waves that roll in yonder bay.
The gigantic swells and billows of the snow.
Wave
To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to vacillate.
He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm.
Swell
A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; - generally indicated by the sign.
Wave
To move one way and the other; to brandish.
Swell
A showy, dashing person; a dandy.
Wave
To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form a surface to.
Horns whelked and waved like the enridged sea.
Swell
Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.
Wave
To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft.
Swell
The undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
Wave
To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate.
Look, with what courteous actionIt waves you to a more removed ground.
She spoke, and bowing wavedDismissal.
Swell
A rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor)
Wave
An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the sea, resulting from the oscillatory motion of the particles composing it when disturbed by any force their position of rest; an undulation.
The wave behind impels the wave before.
Swell
A crescendo followed by a decrescendo
Wave
A vibration propagated from particle to particle through a body or elastic medium, as in the transmission of sound; an assemblage of vibrating molecules in all phases of a vibration, with no phase repeated; a wave of vibration; an undulation. See Undulation.
Swell
A man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
Wave
Water; a body of water.
Build a ship to save thee from the flood,I 'll furnish thee with fresh wave, bread, and wine.
Swell
Increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity;
The music swelled to a crescendo
Wave
Unevenness; inequality of surface.
Swell
Become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger;
The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son
Wave
A waving or undulating motion; a signal made with the hand, a flag, etc.
Swell
Expand abnormally;
The bellies of the starving children are swelling
Wave
The undulating line or streak of luster on cloth watered, or calendered, or on damask steel.
Swell
As of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things;
Strong emotions welled up
Smoke swelled from it
Wave
Something resembling or likened to a water wave, as in rising unusually high, in being of unusual extent, or in progressive motion; a swelling or excitement, as of feeling or energy; a tide; flood; period of intensity, usual activity, or the like; as, a wave of enthusiasm; waves of applause.
Swell
Come up;
Tears well in her eyes
Wave
One of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
Swell
Cause to become swollen;
The water swells the wood
Wave
A movement like that of an ocean wave;
A wave of settlers
Troops advancing in waves
Swell
Very good;
He did a bully job
A neat sports car
Had a great time at the party
You look simply smashing
Wave
(physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
Wave
Something that rises rapidly;
A wave of emotion swept over him
There was a sudden wave of buying before the market closed
A wave of conservatism in the country led by the hard right
Wave
The act of signaling by a movement of the hand
Wave
A hairdo that creates undulations in the hair
Wave
An undulating curve
Wave
A persistent and widespread unusual weather condition (especially of unusual temperatures)
Wave
A member of the women's reserve of the United States Navy; originally organized during World War II but now no longer a separate branch
Wave
Signal with the hands or nod;
She waved to her friends
He waved his hand hospitably
Wave
Move or swing back and forth;
She waved her gun
Wave
Move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion;
The curtains undulated
The waves rolled towards the beach
Wave
Twist or roll into coils or ringlets;
Curl my hair, please
Wave
Set waves in;
She asked the hairdresser to wave her hair
Common Curiosities
Can waves turn into swells?
Yes, waves can evolve into swells as they travel away from their original wind source.
What causes waves and swells?
Waves are generally caused by local winds, while swells are produced by distant storm systems.
How do waves differ from swells in appearance?
Waves are typically smaller and rougher, while swells are larger, smoother, and more uniform.
How do swells affect weather forecasting?
Swells can indicate the presence and intensity of distant storms, aiding in weather predictions.
What is the primary use of observing swells in navigation?
Observing swells helps in understanding and preparing for long-distance sea conditions and weather systems.
Why are swells preferred by surfers for long rides?
Swells provide smoother, more predictable rides due to their long wavelengths and consistent motion.
How do waves and swells impact marine life?
Both can influence marine ecosystems, with waves affecting coastal habitats and swells impacting broader oceanic areas.
What scientific studies focus on waves and swells?
Oceanography and meteorology study waves and swells to understand climate patterns and marine dynamics.
How do waves affect beach erosion compared to swells?
Waves cause more immediate erosion, while swells contribute to long-term geological changes.
Can technology predict the formation of waves and swells accurately?
Advanced meteorological tools and models can predict these formations with increasing accuracy.
What is the typical duration of impact between waves and swells?
Waves have a short-term impact, while swells affect larger areas over longer periods.
What role do waves and swells play in coastal engineering?
They are crucial factors in the design and maintenance of coastal defenses and structures.
Are waves more dangerous than swells?
Waves can be more dangerous due to their unpredictability and rapid changes.
Can the size of waves exceed that of swells?
Typically, swells are larger, but extreme weather conditions can produce very large waves.
How do sailors use knowledge of waves and swells for safe travel?
Knowledge of these helps in planning routes and managing ships' stability.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
