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• gale
  gale

  noun

  a very strong wind.
• Gale
  Gale

  noun

  Zona 1874–1938, U.S. novelist, short-story writer, playwright, and poet.

gale

¹ American  

[gayl] / geɪl /

noun

1. a very strong wind.

2. Meteorology. a wind of 32–63 miles per hour (14–28 meters per second).

3. a noisy outburst.

   a gale of laughter filled the room.

   Synonyms:

   gust, fit, outbreak, eruption, burst

4. Archaic. a gentle breeze.

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gale ² American  

[gayl] / geɪl /

noun

1. sweet gale.

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Gale ³ American  

[gayl] / geɪl /

noun

1. Zona 1874–1938, U.S. novelist, short-story writer, playwright, and poet.

2. a female or male given name.

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gale ¹ British  

/ ɡeɪl /

noun

1. a strong wind, specifically one of force seven to ten on the Beaufort scale or from 45 to 90 kilometres per hour

2. (often plural) a loud outburst, esp of laughter

3. archaic a gentle breeze

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gale ² British  

/ ɡeɪl /

noun

1. short for sweet gale

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Etymology

Origin of gale¹

First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian dialect geil “uproar, unrest, boiling”

Origin of gale²

before 1000; Middle English gail, Old English gagel; cognate with German Gagel

Explanation

If there’s a gale coming your way, you better hold onto your new hat and your little dog, Toto, too, because this is an extremely strong wind. The word gale possibly originates from the Old Norse word galinn, which means “mad”, “frantic,” or “bewitched.” Weather forecasters sometimes use the term “gale-force winds” to describe conditions that aren’t quite as extreme as hurricanes or tropical storms, but probably fierce enough to snap your kite in half. Gale can also refer to other kinds of strong outbursts. For example, if someone erupts into gales of laughter, it means her friend probably said something very funny.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gale Gale

"Conditions on Ishigaki gale force with some overnight gusts to typhoon strength."

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

A gale warning was also in effect for inner coastal waters, with officials discouraging boating until conditions improved.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2026

But gale force winds led to the crew and tugboats having to evacuate and the ship was left to ride out the storm for several hours.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026

Once unfurled, it holds up in anything short of a gale.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

To this house I came just ere dark on an evening marked by the characteristics of sad sky, cold gale, and continued small penetrating rain.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

It will pay “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman and producers Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, Charles Eglee and Gale Anne Hurd $85 million by Sept. 18 and another $35 million by Jan. 31.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

The tornado that transported Dorothy Gale from dusty Kansas to vibrant Oz might have swept up the village idiot instead.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

During the reality dating show, the pair beat Molly's ex-boyfriend Callum Jones and his partner at the time, Jessica Gale, who finished as runners-up.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Lead author Dr. Angus Gale said the work offers researchers a valuable new tool for making these quantum systems more practical.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

“You do know what a gale is, right? And what Gusty Gale would mean?”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Related Words

• cyclone
• hurricane
• monsoon
• squall
• tornado
• wind
• windstorm