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Glite Dictionary
wave shape

wave shape

5.8
The line on a graph that shows how a sound or signal changes over time
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : forma de onda
  • By adjusting the settings on the synthesizer, you can change the wave shape from a smooth sine wave to a sharp square wave.

Examples

  • Different musical instruments produce distinct wave shapes that give each their unique sound.

  • The wave shape of the signal was analyzed to identify electrical interference.

  • By adjusting the oscillator, you can change the wave shape from a sine wave to a square wave.

  • The wave shape was clearly defined in the graph.

  • Can you explain the wave shape in this experiment?

  • The wave shape of the ocean swell can be observed in the data collected by the buoy over time.

  • In the lab, we studied the wave shape of sound waves to understand how different frequencies affect audio quality.

Synonyms

waveform
vswave shape
  • Specialized
8 5.9

The shape of a sound or electric wave shown on a graph over time

is the general description of how values change on a graph over time

How Smooth

sine wave
  • Specialized
3 5.1
wave shape
  • Specialized
5.8

Surface Forms

wave shape singular
wave shapes plural

Morphology

wave + shape

The meaning 'the shape of a wave' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'wave' (a ridge or swell) with 'shape' (outline or contour); it is a straightforward noun–noun compound describing the form of a wave. This compositional pattern is common across languages and follows regular English compounding rules, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Wave shape comes from the simple picture of a wave drawn on a graph: the wave goes up and down and the shape is the line it makes. Changing that line—making it smooth or sharp—changes the 'sound' or 'signal', so wave shape means the exact form of a wave over time.