Refers to a physically large ocean wave, often used in weather reports, news, or literary descriptions.
Large waves surged onto the shore due to the typhoon.
サーファーは大波を待っていた。
The surfers were waiting for a big wave.
大波 simply means 'big wave' and describes size, while 荒波 emphasizes the violent, chaotic motion of stormy waves.
大波 specifically means a big wave, whereas 波浪 is a broader, formal term covering waves and swells in general.
rogue wave; freak wave
Standard kanji spelling for 'large wave' or 'billow'.
Compound of 大 (おお, 'big') and 波 (なみ, 'wave'). The reading おおなみ is a straightforward kun'yomi combination.