blizzard
Americannoun
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Meteorology.
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a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.
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a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.
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an inordinately large amount all at one time.
a blizzard of Christmas cards.
verb (used without object)
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of blizzard
An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze 1, bluster, etc.
Explanation
A blizzard is a large winter storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and accompanied by high winds. We're not talking flurry or a snowsquall. It's the kind of snow storm you read about. If you had to shovel 5 inches of snow off of your sidewalk, the snow storm was probably just a snow storm, an annoyance perhaps but not a blizzard. A blizzard is a huge snowstorm that results in the disruption of normal activities. Offices close, schools are shut down, streets are snow-packed, and people stay at home. The word can also be used figuratively, to mean "a rash" of something — like the blizzard of insurance forms you had to complete after surgery.
Vocabulary lists containing blizzard
Wintry Words
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Blizzard! Words to Learn on a Snow Day
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Weather and Climate - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Russell figured out the ruse after reading a warning on the Blizzard website, which said authorized recruiters would use only certain email extensions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Under his leadership, he oversaw huge acquisitions, from Minecraft creator Mojang, to the biggest deal in gaming history with Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard.
From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026
Activision Blizzard UK Ltd said the ad had been reviewed by Clearcast, which provides pre-clearance of TV advertising, and had been approved with an "ex-kids" timing restriction.
From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026
The "Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011" impacted four regions and reached Category 5 intensity in the Ohio Valley and Category 3 in the South.
From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026
I patted Blizzard on the head and rumpled his ears.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
