billow

American  

[bil-oh] / ˈbɪl oʊ /

noun

1. a great wave or surge of the sea.

   Synonyms:

   whitecap, roller, comber, breaker, swell

2. any surging mass.

   billows of smoke.

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verb (used without object)

1. to rise or roll in or like billows; surge.

2. to swell out, puff up, etc., as by the action of wind.

   flags billowing in the breeze.

verb (used with object)

1. to make rise, surge, swell, or the like.

   A sudden wind billowed the tent alarmingly.

billow British  

/ ˈbɪləʊ /

noun

1. a large sea wave

2. a swelling or surging mass, as of smoke or sound

3. a large atmospheric wave, usually in the lee of a hill

4. poetic (plural) the sea itself

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verb

1. to rise up, swell out, or cause to rise up or swell out

Other Word Forms

• billowing
  adjective
• underbillow
  verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of billow

First recorded in 1545–55; from Old Norse bylgja “wave,” cognate with Middle Low German bulge; akin to Old English gebylgan “to anger, provoke”

Explanation

Something billows when there's a fluid or blowing motion, such as the air filling a curtain at an open window, or smoke billowing from a fire. This word originally meant a wave, and that image should help you remember its current meaning too. The word usually suggests movement and growth, such as waves building and crashing. There are certain clouds that look like ocean waves, and so are called billow clouds. If you have a big shirt, the wind might make it fill with air and billow. Balloons are billowed when you inflate them. Billowing can also mean to move with difficulty — slowly.

Example Sentences

Billow began his career at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during his residency in 1993, when he would volunteer at the IU Health Emergency Medical Center in the infield during race weeks.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2022

Billow said he stayed there for several hours before he and other survivors bolted.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2022

National Restaurant Association of the District appointed Deb Billow executive vice president for marketing and member engagement.

From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2016

His wife’s drawing surface is the kitchen table, exquisitely made from  pieces of reclaimed wood that Mr. Billow took from the  factory floor.

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2012

"There are such men to be found in London, no doubt," Mr. Billow said, cautiously.

From A Search For A Secret (Vol 2 of 3) A Novel by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

Related Words

• undulate