squall

¹ American  

[skwawl] / skwɔl /

verb (used without object)

1. to cry or scream loudly and violently.

   The hungry baby began to squall.

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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.

squall ² American  

[skwawl] / skwɔl /

noun

1. Meteorology. a sudden, strong wind of brief duration that is sustained for at least two minutes at a speed of at least 16 knots (18 miles per hour, 8 meters per second), often accompanied by precipitation, and then rapidly diminishes in speed.

   We can’t rule out some short spells of heavy rain, as occasional squalls from the north are expected later today.

2. Nautical. any local storm on navigable water that is typically sudden and severe, with strong winds often accompanied by precipitation and sometimes thunder and lightning.

   He got soaked in a squall out in the bay, but thank heavens his skiff was just a few dozen yards from shore.

3. a sudden disturbance or commotion.

   Holidays with her family were always unnerving—you never knew when a pleasant moment was going to erupt into a chaotic squall.

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verb (used without object)

1. Meteorology, Nautical. to blow as a squall.

   They say it may squall, but I say we should go ahead with our picnic plans.

squall ¹ British  

/ skwɔːl /

noun

1. a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm

2. any sudden commotion or show of temper

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verb

1. (intr) to blow in a squall

squall ² British  

/ skwɔːl /

verb

1. (intr) to cry noisily; yell

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noun

1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl

squall Scientific  

/ 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.

2. See also squall line

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Other Word Forms

• squaller noun
• squallish adjective
• squally adjective

Etymology

Origin of squall¹

1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream

Origin of squall¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall ²

Example Sentences

Baby Max hurled his overheated bulk into her lap, squalling like a siren.

From Literature

Simon also proved to have a knack for calming a squalling infant, so he was quickly put to work.

From Literature

As a first taste of the collection, he released Rain In The River, from Perfect World, whose muscular drums and squalling feedback showcase the raw power of his regular backing band E Street Band.

From BBC

An untimely Pacific squall which drenched us and everything else did not slow them at all.

From BBC

And in London, the New Year's Day parade suffered a short delay due to the high winds and a brief squall of torrential rain in the capital.

From BBC

Related Words

• flurry
• gale
• gust
• shower
• windstorm