gust

¹ American  

[guhst] / gʌst /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to blow or rush in gusts.

gust ² American  

[guhst] / gʌst /

noun

1. Archaic. flavor or taste.

2. Obsolete. enjoyment or gratification.

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verb (used with object)

1. Scot. to taste; savor.

gust British  

/ ɡʌst /

noun

1. a sudden blast of wind

2. a sudden rush of smoke, sound, etc

3. an outburst of emotion

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verb

1. to blow in gusts

   the wind was gusting to more than 50 mph

Related Words

See wind ¹.

Other Word Forms

• gustable adjective
• gustless adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Skeletal trees lined the way, snow shivering off them with every gust of wind.

From Literature

The man quickly opened the door so that more men could enter, bringing a cold gust of air in behind them.

From Literature

As a gust tried to send his hat sailing down the emptied streets, Greeley turned up his collar against the thickly falling snow and made his way home on foot.

From Literature

Strong gusts of wind slammed the rain against the window so hard I thought it would surely break the glass.

From Literature

When I stepped inside, I was greeted by a gust of warm air that smelled of bread and onions.

From Literature

Related Words

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