williwaw

American  

[wil-ee-waw] / ˈwɪl iˌwɔ /

noun

1. a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.

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williwaw British  

/ ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː /

noun

1. a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan

2. a state of great turmoil

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Etymology

Origin of williwaw

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

Explanation

A williwaw might sound quirky, but it’s no joke! It’s a sudden, powerful gust of wind that can be an unpleasant surprise for sailors or hikers. It can also describe a whirlwind of chaos or agitation. The word williwaw was used by British sailors in the 19th century to describe sudden, fierce gusts of wind, often in coastal or mountainous areas. These winds are unpredictable, turning a calm day into a dangerous one in an instant. Williwaw can also describe a sudden rush of emotional turmoil, like when life seems to spin out of control. Whether a literal blast of wind or a metaphorical storm, the word williwaw is great for describing sudden, intense forces.

Example Sentences

Gore Vidal’s first novel was Williwaw, which he wrote while stationed on a U.S.

From Scientific American • Nov. 11, 2022

The manager for folk band Blackwater Railroad Company says the proposed concert at Williwaw Lakes was intended to provide an intimate, outdoor experience encouraging conservation.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2019

Mailer had made a huge splash with The Naked and the Dead, his bestselling novel of the Pacific war, frustrating Vidal, whose own war novel, Williwaw, had barely registered.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2015

Attending the poshest schools, Gore skipped college to enlist in the Army, serving in the Aleutian Islands — the setting for his first novel, Williwaw, published in 1946 when he was just 20.

From Time • Aug. 1, 2012

Vidal used the empty hours to begin Williwaw, a Hemingwayesque tale of men at sea.

From Time Magazine Archive