the advance and retreat of water

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Is there a word to describe the sound of water lapping against the shore? Can I use "advance" and "retreat"?


His villa was near the beach and he could hear the never-ending sound of the advance and retreat of the water on the shore.

I'm looking for better options.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It's fine. Instead of "advance and retreat," we might say:

- ebb and flow
- surf
- rise and fall
- tide
- waves

 

[GoesStation]

I think of a slower movement — specifically, the tide — when you describe the water as advancing and retreating. If you're talking about ripples or very low waves like what you usually see on a large lake or a protected inlet of the ocean, "lapping" is my first choice. Charlie's suggestions are all fine, too.

 

[Yankee]

I like CB's "ebb and flow".

 

[alpacinou]

I like CB's "ebb and flow".

How is it? Any way to make it better?

His villa was near the beach and he could hear the never-ending sound of the ebb and flow of the water on the shore.

 

[GoesStation]

How is it? Any way to make it better?

His villa was near the beach and he could hear the never-ending sound of the ebb and flow of the water on the shore.

How is what? (I think you meant "How's this?")

"Ebb and flow" really doesn't work for me. I think you're thinking of water lapping on a beach or other shoreline. "Lapping" is the perfect word for that.

It seems that you're trying to make your text more complicated. That makes it worse, not better.

 

[tedmc]

How about:

His villa was near the beach and he could hear the sound of waves incessantly lapping the shore.