gust

¹

[ guhst ]

noun

1. a sudden, strong blast of wind.
2. a sudden rush or burst of water, fire, smoke, sound, etc.
3. an outburst of passionate feeling.

verb (used without object)

1. to blow or rush in gusts.

gust

²

[ guhst ]

noun

1. Archaic. flavor or taste.
2. Obsolete. enjoyment or gratification.

verb (used with object)

1. Scot. to taste; savor.

gust

/ ɡʌst /

noun

1. a sudden blast of wind
2. a sudden rush of smoke, sound, etc
3. an outburst of emotion

verb

1. to blow in gusts

   the wind was gusting to more than 50 mph

Other Words From

• gustless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gust¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Old Norse gustr “a gust,” akin to gjōsa, gusa “to gust”

Origin of gust²

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin gustus a tasting (of food), eating a little, akin to gustāre to taste

Word History and Origins

Origin of gust¹

C16: from Old Norse gustr; related to gjōsa to gush ; see geyser

Synonym Study

See wind ¹.

Example Sentences

Winds are out of the north around 10 mph, with gusts near 20 mph.

From Washington Post

Winds are from the northwest at 10 to 15 mph, with some gusts to 25 mph.

From Washington Post

Breezes are moderate from the north with an occasional gust to 20 mph.

From Washington Post

Winds will decrease to about 5 mph overnight, with gusts to around 10 mph.

From Washington Post

Blustery winds from the northwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph will make the highs in the mid- to upper 30s feel like the 20s.

From Washington Post

A gust of smoke dances around her naked frame as she bathes for one final time in the prayer leaves.

From The Daily Beast

The accessory was easily lifted by a gust of wind and would regularly get entangled in the wheel spokes of carriages.

From The Daily Beast

Despite the gust of excitement most scientists are keeping their emotions in check.

From The Daily Beast

And one strong gust of wind could blow the whole edifice of human habitation away.

From The Daily Beast

An added gust turned the rainbow to multi-colored wisps of rare beauty.

From The Daily Beast

The next morning a gust of wind carried him, and him only, out of the boat into the waves, and he was never seen again.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a windy night and a sudden gust blew his tall hat into the river, and after it unfortunately dropped the meerschaum.

From Project Gutenberg

It blew out of the canyon-mouth like a gust from a chimney, rolling over and over in billowy masses.

From Project Gutenberg

The violent gust passed on its way, the flying cloud of sand subsided, settling down on everything.

From Project Gutenberg

Somebody was lighting a candle, which was at once extinguished when the door was open, and a gust of wind and rain swept in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blast
• breeze
• burst
• explosion
• flurry
• gale
• squall
• storm