gust

¹ American  

[guhst] / gʌst /

noun

1. a sudden, strong blast of wind.

2. a sudden rush or burst of water, fire, smoke, sound, etc.

3. an outburst of passionate feeling.

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verb (used without object)

1. to blow or rush in gusts.

gust ² American  

[guhst] / gʌst /

noun

1. Archaic. flavor or taste.

2. Obsolete. enjoyment or gratification.

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verb (used with object)

1. Scot. to taste; savor.

gust British  

/ ɡʌst /

noun

1. a sudden blast of wind

2. a sudden rush of smoke, sound, etc

3. an outburst of emotion

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verb

1. to blow in gusts

   the wind was gusting to more than 50 mph

Related Words

See wind ¹.

Other Word Forms

• gustable adjective
• gustless adjective

Etymology

Origin of gust¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Old Norse gustr “a gust,” akin to gjōsa, gusa “to gust”

Origin of gust¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin gustus a tasting (of food), eating a little, akin to gustāre to taste

Example Sentences

We stopped in a small clearing, in front of an old, abandoned outhouse, weathered to the color of ashes and looking like a gust of wind would knock it flat.

From Literature

As Toby stood up, a gust of wind scattered the worksheets, and the softball player set down the bat to help Toby gather them up.

From Literature

It happens when a nerve is strangled by a blood vessel in the face, with it often misdiagnosed as toothache, and attacks caused by something as simple as a gust of wind.

From BBC

Moderate Santa Ana winds, which may bring gusts up to 50 mph in the mountains, could add some additional heat to the region.

From Los Angeles Times

Tokyo Olympic champion Korda, a two-time major winner, and her rivals battled winds of 25 mph with even higher gusts.

From Barron's

Related Words

• blast
• breeze
• burst
• explosion
• flurry
• gale
• squall
• storm