flurry

American  

[flur-ee, fluhr-ee] / ˈflɜr i, ˈflʌr i /

noun

plural

flurries

1. a light, brief shower of snow.

2. sudden commotion, excitement, or confusion; nervous hurry.

   There was a flurry of activity before the guests arrived.

   Synonyms:

   ado, fluster, fuss, to-do, stir, pother, upset

3. Stock Exchange.

   1. a brief rise or fall in prices.

   2. a brief, unusually heavy period of trading.

4. a sudden gust of wind.

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verb (used with object)

flurried, flurrying

1. to put (a person) into a flurry; confuse; fluster.

verb (used without object)

flurried, flurrying

1. (of snow) to fall or be blown in a flurry.

2. to move in an excited or agitated manner.

flurry British  

/ ˈflʌrɪ /

noun

1. a sudden commotion or burst of activity

2. a light gust of wind or rain or fall of snow

3. stock exchange a sudden brief increase in trading or fluctuation in stock prices

4. the death spasms of a harpooned whale

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verb

1. to confuse or bewilder or be confused or bewildered

Other Word Forms

• flurriedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of flurry

1680–90, blend of flutter and hurry

Example Sentences

As the light show unfolded, the lantern's blindingly bright facades concealed a flurry of activity behind, as teams of people turned large metal barrels called rotors by hand to produce a kaleidoscopic effect.

From Barron's

As the new president continues his flurry of executive orders, the world’s leaders, U.S. chief executives and lawmakers navigate changes touching healthcare, schools and the global supply chain.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time the deal was revealed, a series of US tech firms announced a flurry of investment in the UK.

From BBC

That “advice” could make it tricky to forecast interest rates amid a flurry of economic data this week.

From Barron's

There has been a flurry of dealmaking in the mining sector, fueled in part by companies’ push to secure supplies of copper, a key component in sectors from data centers to electric vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• furor
• outbreak
• spurt
• squall
• turmoil
• whirl
• whirlwind