sea change
Americannoun
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a striking change, as in appearance, often for the better.
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any major transformation or alteration.
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a transformation brought about by the sea.
noun
Etymology
Origin of sea change
First recorded in 1600–10
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.
His early verdict, delivered to lawmakers this month: “In six weeks we have caused, I think, a sea change in new thinking.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Adding complex investments like private equity or hedge funds as a standard part of the mix would be a sea change.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
That would be the first hike by the Fed in three years and a sea change in the outlook for financial markets.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026
This is a potential stock market sea change.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
By honoring both the invention of an essential instrument for large-scale research and the creation of a laboratory model to put it to use, the Nobel committee validated a sea change in science.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
