gust
1 Americannoun
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a sudden, strong blast of wind.
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a sudden rush or burst of water, fire, smoke, sound, etc.
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an outburst of passionate feeling.
verb (used without object)
noun
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Archaic. flavor or taste.
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Obsolete. enjoyment or gratification.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a sudden blast of wind
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a sudden rush of smoke, sound, etc
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an outburst of emotion
verb
Related Words
See wind 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gust1
First recorded in 1580–90; from Old Norse gustr “a gust,” akin to gjōsa, gusa “to gust”
Origin of gust2
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin gustus a tasting (of food), eating a little, akin to gustāre to taste
Explanation
A gust is a strong, short burst of air. If you're walking around on a brisk, cold day, hold on to your papers tightly — a gust of wind could sweep in and send your notes flying into the air. You've probably seen the famous image of Marilyn Monroe standing on a sidewalk with her white dress blowing in the breeze from a subway grate — that might be the most famous gust of air in popular culture. Gust comes from the Old Norse word gustr, meaning "a cold blast of wind." Gust also can be used to describe other things that come on with a sudden burst, like a violent gust of rain or an unexpected gust of sadness.
Vocabulary lists containing gust
Wind Power: The Words Beneath Your Wings
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Chains
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 8
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
This looks plowable with near-blizzard conditions south/west of MSP by late Sunday as winds gust to 40 mph.
From Salon • Dec. 27, 2025
They yank open industrial-grade zippers, unleashing a gust of helium, and dive chest-first onto the collapsing character.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025
Dr Hurley hopes they all take their time as that means "they'll be stronger and more capable"; an ill-timed gust of wind could blow them into a window or they could land badly.
From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025
But a gust of wind scattered the forms into the street, where bank security guards chased after them.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025
A single gust of summer air made it through the chill, and Piper breathed it in, taking it as a good omen.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
