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echolocation

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌiːkoʊlɛkˈʃoʊʃən/

KK: /ˌiːkoʊlɛkˈʃoʊn/

noun
Definition

A way that some animals, like bats and dolphins, find out where things are by making sounds and listening to the echoes that bounce back.


Example

Bats use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you know that some animals use echolocation to find their way around?
Sloth B
Really? That's fascinating! How does it work?
Sloth A
They emit sounds and listen for the echoes to determine where objects are.
Sloth B
Wow, that's amazing! I never knew nature had such clever tricks.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
sonar
ultrasound
navigation
Antonyms
silence
invisibility
obscurity
Root Explanation

Echolocation → It is formed from "echo" (from Greek "ēchō", meaning sound or voice) and "location" (from Latin "locatio", meaning a placing or locating). The word describes the process of locating objects by the reflection of sound waves, essentially using sound to determine location.

Memory Tip

Think of 'echo' as the sound that bounces back to you, helping you 'locate' where things are. This helps you remember that echolocation is about finding your way using sound.

Visually Confused Words
collocation
decoloration
relocation
coloration
retrolocation
precoloration
location
eolation
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