high waves
Ocean's angry peaks
High waves are waves of notable height, typically in water.
The phrase appears in weather reports and maritime contexts to indicate dangerous or rough conditions: Small craft advisory due to high waves.
High waves can result from storms, strong winds, or seismic activity.
The term lacks a precise measurement threshold—what counts as high depends on context and the observer's frame of reference.
- surfWaves near shore
- swellIncrease in size
- ocean swellsLong open-sea waves
- breakersWaves that collapse shoreward
- whitecapsFoam-topped breaking waves
white water · crashing · surge · storm surge · tsunami · storm · ocean · foam · roar · churning · rough seas · swells · tide · spray · thundering · crest · rolling · undertow
- sea stormshurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclone, squall
- water hazardsflash flood, river flood, coastal flooding, flooding, tsunami
- stormsstorm, thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado, typhoon
high wavesstill water
Water not flowing
calm seas · dead calm · flat water · small waves · gentle waves
high wavescalm seas
Flat, waveless ocean
smooth sailing · sheltered waters · protected waters · safe harbor · lee shore
high, wave, waves, higher, highest, highly, height, heights, heighten