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definitions

squall

1
[skwawl]
See more synonyms for squall on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
  2. a sudden disturbance or commotion.
verb (used without object)
  1. to blow as a squall.

Origin of squall

1
First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall2
Related formssquall·ish, adjective

squall

2
[skwawl]
verb (used without object)
  1. to cry or scream loudly and violently: The hungry baby began to squall.
verb (used with object)
  1. to utter in a screaming tone.
noun
  1. the act or sound of squalling: The baby's squall was heard next door.

Origin of squall

2
1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream
Related formssquall·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for squall

gale, windstorm, tempest, gust, shower, flurry, blow, draft, storm, commotion, gush, trouble, blast, bluster, wind

Examples from the Web for squall

Historical Examples of squall

  • By this time the squall had passed, and it lightened up a little.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • The instant I was aware there was a squall, I sprang for the jib-sheet.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • So the swoop of the squall took them completely by surprise.

    Fair Harbor

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

  • The last commands were roars at the horse, for, at that moment, the squall struck.

    Fair Harbor

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

  • In fact, the squall struck before I was abreast the Colton place.

    The Rise of Roscoe Paine

    Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for squall

squall

1
noun
  1. a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
  2. any sudden commotion or show of temper
verb
  1. (intr) to blow in a squall
Derived Formssquallish, adjectivesqually, adjective

Word Origin for squall

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

squall

2
verb
  1. (intr) to cry noisily; yell
noun
  1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl
Derived Formssqualler, noun

Word Origin for squall

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic skvala to shout; see squeal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for squall
n.

"sudden, violent gust of wind," 1719, originally nautical, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian skval "sudden rush of water," Swedish skvala "to gush, pour down"), probably ultimately a derivative of squall (v.).

v.

"cry out loudly," 1630s, probably from Old Norse skvala "to cry out," of imitative origin (cf. squeal). Related: Squalled; squalling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
squall in Science

squall

[skwôl]
  1. A brief, sudden, violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain or snow. A squall is said to occur if a wind having a sustained speed of 40 km (25 mi) per hour lasts at least 1 minute and then decreases rapidly. See also squall line.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.