squall

[ skwawl ]

See synonyms for: squall squalled squalling on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.: Compare gust¹ (def. 1).
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.

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)

Meteorology, Nautical. to blow as a squall: They say it may squall, but I say we should go ahead with our picnic plans.

Origin of squall

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall²

Other words from squall

squall·ish, adjective

Other definitions for squall (2 of 2)

squall²

[ skwawl ]

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

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

Other words from squall

squaller, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use squall in a sentence

Tell me, shall you be happy to have another little squaller?
The Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Volume I (of 2) | Florence A. Thomas Marshall
One white hair spoils all, and puts it on a level with any common squaller in the back garden.
The Book of This and That | Robert Lynd
A squall on the sea is a stress of weather, and a squaller on land is a songstress.
The New Pun Book | Thomas A. Brown and Thomas Joseph Carey
"Not until you have earned it," replied black Sancho Squaller, with the sternness of a judge.
Harper's Young People, June 7, 1881 | Various
Come along then, Pete; we'll take a look in at thet squaller, an' see how bad he's hurted.
Woodcraft | Alan Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for squall (1 of 2)

squall¹

/ (skwɔːl) /

noun

a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
any sudden commotion or show of temper

verb

(intr) to blow in a squall

Origin of squall

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

Derived forms of squall

squallish, adjective
squally, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for squall (2 of 2)

squall²

/ (skwɔːl) /

verb

(intr) to cry noisily; yell

noun

a shrill or noisy yell or howl

Origin of squall

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

Derived forms of squall

squaller, noun

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

Scientific 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.

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