squall

¹

[ skwawl ]

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: Compare gust ¹( def 1 ).

   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.

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

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.

squall

¹

/ skwɔːl /

verb

1. intr to cry noisily; yell

noun

1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl

squall

²

/ skwɔːl /

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

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.
2. See also squall line

Derived Forms

• ˈsqualler, noun
• ˈsquallish, adjective
• ˈsqually, adjective

Other Words From

• squall·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squall¹

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

Origin of squall²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squall¹

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic skvala to shout; see squeal

Origin of squall²

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

Example Sentences

Some of the final squalls have produced strong wind gusts, and even earlier prompted a severe thunderstorm warning to the east of the city, including Annapolis.

From Washington Post

Any choice a character makes sets off a chain reaction that spirals through the various narratives, which coalesce around a biblical squall in which frogs tumble from the heavens.

From Time

She ran to a window and gaped at the strange spectacle of thousands of pieces of paper floating in midair, like a confetti squall more than 60 stories above the ground.

From Washington Post

The contentious evening was the latest squall in an ongoing culture war that has festered in the district’s school system.

From Washington Post

They tried to stay together as the squall worsened, but the slow pace was hard for Henry and Aiden, who needed to keep moving to stay warm.

From Outside Online

As the evening approached the weather clouded in and threatened us with another squall from the eastward.

From Project Gutenberg

The squall soon passed away, and left them almost becalmed, as before.

From Project Gutenberg

He wasn't there; he was drawing his breath for another squall away out on the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

But little Phin, he sleeps with me, and I don't know just how long it was before I was waked up by a great squall.

From Project Gutenberg

So home, a little before six, in a dashing squall of rain, to a bowl of kava and dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flurry
• gale
• gust
• shower
• windstorm