cascade

A large amount of something falling, hanging down, or happening one after another.

• Her hair fell in a cascade of curls.
• The announcement brought a cascade of questions.
• A cascade of flowers hung from the balcony.

How to use it: cascade of something (The mistake caused a cascade of problems.)

Similar words: stream, flow, succession

Common phrases: cascade of something, beautiful cascade

Water falling over a steep drop or down several small drops.

• We sat beside a small cascade.
• The river forms several cascades below the bridge.
• Water rushed over the rocks in a noisy cascade.

Similar words: waterfall

Common phrases: small cascade, rocky cascade

To fall or flow down in a large amount, like water over a steep drop.

• Water cascades down the rocks.
• Her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
• Rainwater was cascading down the steps.

How to use it: cascade down something (Water cascaded down the hillside.); cascade over something (Her curls cascaded over her shoulders.)

Similar words: pour, flow, tumble

Common phrases: cascade down something, cascade over something

To happen in a series in which one event causes the next.

• Failures can cascade through the network.
• One error cascaded into several larger problems.
• The effects of the closure are still cascading through the economy.

How to use it: cascade through something (The disruption cascaded through the entire transport system.); cascade into something (The delay cascaded into a series of missed deliveries.)

Common phrases: cascade through something, failures cascade

To pass information or skills through a series of people so that others receive them.

• Managers cascade updates to their teams.
• She cascaded her new skills to the other teachers.
• The safety message will cascade through every department.

How to use it: cascade something to someone (The director cascaded the information to all managers.)

Similar words: pass on, relay

Common phrases: cascade information, cascade to someone