cascade
/kæˈskeɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /kæˈskeɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)kas-ˈkād/ (ame, mw) · /kæsˈkeɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /kæsˈkeɪd/ (ame, ipa)
cascade — noun
- cascadesingular
- cascadesplural
1. a small stream of water that falls over rocks or a ledge, usually as part of a s
a small stream of water that falls over rocks or a ledge, usually as part of a series of similar falls
The hikers stopped to cool their feet in a shallow pool below a small cascade.
collocation: 'small cascade' for a minor waterfall
Several cascades tumbled down the mountain after the heavy spring rains.
Mei-Lin dipped her handkerchief into the cool water of the cascade to wipe her daughter's face.
After the long hike, Pablo sat by the cascade and let the cool spray refresh his face.
文法句型
a cascade
cascades
常見錯誤
2. a considerable quantity of soft material like hair, fabric, or flowers that drop
a considerable quantity of soft material like hair, fabric, or flowers that drops in a loose, decorative way
Clara let her dark hair fall in a cascade down her back as she stepped out into the rain.
pattern: 'hair falls in a cascade'
A cascade of white lace decorated the front of the wedding dress.
Pink roses hung in a cascade from the balcony railing during the festival.
Amara wore a silver necklace with a cascade of tiny pearls around her neck.
A cascade of ivy covered the entire front wall of the old stone cottage.
文法句型
a cascade of [material]
用法筆記
Frequently used with a following 'of + [material]' phrase that names what is hanging. The material is typically something soft or decorative.
常見錯誤
3. a heavy flow of water or other liquid rushing downward at speed, sometimes in an
a heavy flow of water or other liquid rushing downward at speed, sometimes in an uncontrolled way
A cascade of rainwater poured from the broken gutter above the front door.
pattern: 'cascade of [liquid + verb of motion]'
Tears ran in a silent cascade down the old woman's wrinkled cheeks.
A cascade of hot water spilled from the pan when Liam knocked it off the stove.
The broken pipe sent a cascade of dirty water across the basement floor.
文法句型
a cascade of [liquid]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (a waterfall), this sense describes any liquid falling in quantity, not necessarily over a rock face. Often used for liquids that fall accidentally or forcefully.
常見錯誤
4. a connected series of events or stages that follow a triggering pattern, where o
a connected series of events or stages that follow a triggering pattern, where one development sets the next in motion, often producing results that spread far beyond the original change
The minister's resignation set off a cascade of changes in the government.
collocation: 'set off / trigger / cause a cascade of'
One small coding error caused a cascade of failures across the whole system.
The new policy triggered a cascade of complaints from parents and teachers alike.
A cascade of events led to the cancellation of the entire music festival.
The bank's failure created a cascade of financial problems for small businesses.
- chain
more neutral; 'chain of events' suggests simple sequence, while 'cascade' implies each step actively causes the next
- series
broader and less dramatic; does not emphasise cause-and-effect
- domino effect
adds the idea of one fall triggering the next; very similar to 'cascade'
文法句型
a cascade of [events/results]
trigger/set off a cascade
用法筆記
Often describes a chain of negative consequences, though it can be neutral. The verb collocates strongly with 'trigger', 'set off', or 'cause'.
常見錯誤
cascade — verb
- cascadepresent simple I / you / we / they
- cascades3rd person singular
- cascading-ing form
- cascadedpast simple
1. to move downward rapidly and in large quantity, similar to the way water drops o
to move downward rapidly and in large quantity, similar to the way water drops over a cliff
Water cascaded over the edge of the cliff into the clear blue pool below.
pattern: 'cascade over [edge] into [place]'
Rain cascaded down the windscreen, making it hard for Diego to see the road.
Hot oil cascaded across the kitchen floor when the frying pan tipped over.
The river cascades down the mountainside through a series of narrow rocky steps.
Soo-jin watched the sparkling water cascade over the smooth stones in the stream.
文法句型
cascade + over/down/into/through + [place]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a prepositional phrase showing direction (over, down, into, through, across). Intransitive — you cannot 'cascade something' in this sense.
常見錯誤
2. to relay information through an organisation's chain of command, with each level
to relay information through an organisation's chain of command, with each level receiving it and sending it further down
The manager cascaded the new safety rules to all team leaders during the weekly meeting.
transitive pattern: 'cascade [information] to [people]'
News of the merger cascaded through the company within hours of the announcement.
intransitive pattern: 'cascade through [organisation]'
The head office cascades training materials to each regional branch twice a year.
Rumours about the job cuts cascaded from one department to the next all afternoon.
Kwame cascaded the updated customer guidelines to every team in the call centre.
- disseminate
more formal, implies wider distribution; 'cascade' suggests a structured top-down flow
- pass down
less formal and more general; 'cascade' implies a multi-level chain of communication
- circulate
does not suggest a specific direction; 'cascade' is always from higher to lower levels
文法句型
cascade [info] + to/through + [people/group]
cascade + through + [organisation]
用法筆記
Common in British business and management contexts. The subject is usually a person or department in authority; the information moves through formal reporting lines. Less common in everyday conversation.