squall
1[ skwawl ]
/ skwɔl /
noun
a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
a sudden disturbance or commotion.
verb (used without object)
to blow as a squall.
RELATED CONTENT
What Is The Difference Between Snow Flurries And Snow Showers?Snow refers to the partially frozen water vapor which falls in flakes. The expression snow flurries refers to light, intermittent snowfall without significant accumulation. Snow flurries tend to come from stratiform clouds. Snow showers is the label used to refer to a short period of light-to-moderate snowfall, also characterized by a sudden beginning and ending. There is some accumulation with snow showers, and they fall from convective or cumuliform clouds. A snow …
Nearby words
Origin of squall
1First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall2
Related formssquall·ish, adjective
Definition for squall (2 of 2)
squall
2[ skwawl ]
/ skwɔl /
verb (used without object)
to cry or scream loudly and violently: The hungry baby began to squall.
verb (used with object)
to utter in a screaming tone.
noun
the act or sound of squalling: The baby's squall was heard next door.
Origin of squall
21625–35; 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. 2019
Examples from the Web for squall
British Dictionary definitions for squall (1 of 2)
squall
1/ (skwɔːl) /
noun
a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
any sudden commotion or show of temper
verb
(intr) to blow in a squall
Derived Formssquallish, adjectivesqually, adjective
Word Origin for squall
C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²
British Dictionary definitions for squall (2 of 2)
squall
2/ (skwɔːl) /
verb
(intr) to cry noisily; yell
noun
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
Science definitions for squall
squall
[ skwôl ]
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.