Usage Note
Onde is used in physics for waves of all kinds (light, sound, radio), and poetically for water waves, though vague is more common for ocean waves. Les ondes (plural) informally means the radio or airwaves. Longueur d'onde (wavelength) is also used figuratively: être sur la même longueur d'onde means to be on the same wavelength.
Examples
"L'onde sonore se propage dans l'air."
Natural Translation
The sound wave travels through the air.
Literal Translation
The sound wave propagates in the air.
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