thukela
thukela Lexical Profile
• noun
South African The largest river in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, originating in the Drakensberg mountains and flowing east into the Indian Ocean.
"The Thukela forms a spectacular gorge as it winds its way through the rugged landscape of KwaZulu-Natal."
South African A complex of seasonal waterfalls located in the Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, widely regarded as the world's highest or second-highest waterfall.
"After a heavy summer rain, the Thukela plunges dramatically over the basalt face of the Amphitheatre."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often spelled as 'Tugela' in historical or older English texts.
• Rhymes for thukela
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From the Zulu name 'uThukela', meaning 'the startling one' or 'the sudden one', referring to the river's propensity for sudden, startling floods.