riptide
Americannoun
noun
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Also called: rip. tide-rip. a stretch of turbulent water in the sea, caused by the meeting of currents or abrupt changes in depth
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Also called: rip current. a strong current, esp one flowing outwards from the shore, causing disturbance on the surface
Synonym Usage
See undertow.
Etymology
Origin of riptide
Compare meaning
How does riptide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A riptide is an extremely strong, unpredictable current that flows across another. Riptides are especially dangerous for ocean swimmers. When people talk about riptides, they usually mean the powerful, narrow currents of ocean water near the shore that can be hazardous to swimmers with little experience. Officially, this is incorrect: rip current is the name for this ocean phenomenon, while a riptide is a flow of water in an estuary. As long as you're not worried about being inaccurate, go ahead and use riptide's common meaning — people will know exactly what you mean.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We’re all very excited,” said William “Captain Smitty” Smith, who was readying his charter fishing boat Riptide at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025
The Riptide event was part of what is informally known as Gay Days, a four-day Pride extravaganza at Disney World and nearby hotels that attracts tens of thousands of L.G.B.T.Q. visitors each June.
From New York Times • Jun. 10, 2022
According to Connor Kelly, Tyson Bomberry, and Jake Fox, players on the National Lacrosse League’s New York Riptide, they wear AirPods while working out because the headphones don’t fall out.
From The Verge • Mar. 8, 2020
Vance Joy, real name James Keogh, is the artist behind hit single "Riptide" back in 2013.
From Time • Jul. 14, 2017
Then he slammed Riptide into the ice at his feet.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
