geothermal
relating to heat from within the earth
In more detail
1. (adjective) relating to or produced by the heat inside the Earth
2. (adjective) using the Earth's internal heat as a source of energy
Examples
- 1. Geothermal energy is a renewable source of power in countries with volcanic activity.
- 2. The country built a geothermal power plant to heat homes and generate electricity.
How to use geothermal
Geothermal is a technical adjective used in scientific, engineering, and environmental contexts to describe both the natural heat phenomena within the Earth and renewable energy systems that harness this heat. It appears most commonly in discussions of sustainable energy, geology, and climate solutions, with 'geothermal energy' and 'geothermal power plant' being the most frequent modern uses.
Common phrases
- geothermal energy
- geothermal power
- geothermal heating
- geothermal resources
- geothermal gradient
Synonyms
geothermic · terrestrial heat · subterranean thermal
Word family
geothermally (adverb) · geothermal (adjective) · geothermics (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse geothermal with geothermal energy; geothermal is the adjective describing the phenomenon itself, while geothermal energy specifically refers to the usable thermal energy extracted from the Earth.
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