gale

¹

[ geyl ]

noun

1. a very strong wind.
2. Meteorology. a wind of 32–63 miles per hour (14–28 meters per second).
3. a noisy outburst:

   a gale of laughter filled the room.

   Synonyms: gust, fit, outbreak, eruption, burst

4. Archaic. a gentle breeze.

gale

²

[ geyl ]

noun

1. sweet gale.

Gale

³

[ geyl ]

noun

1. Zo·na [zoh, -n, uh], 1874–1938, U.S. novelist, short-story writer, playwright, and poet.
2. a female or male given name.

gale

¹

/ ɡeɪl /

noun

1. a strong wind, specifically one of force seven to ten on the Beaufort scale or from 45 to 90 kilometres per hour
2. often plural a loud outburst, esp of laughter
3. archaic.
   a gentle breeze

gale

²

/ ɡeɪl /

noun

1. short for sweet gale

Word History and Origins

Origin of gale¹

First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian dialect geil “uproar, unrest, boiling”

Origin of gale²

before 1000; Middle English gail, Old English gagel; cognate with German Gagel

Word History and Origins

Origin of gale¹

C16: of unknown origin

Origin of gale²

Old English gagel; related to Middle Low German gagel

Example Sentences

The National Weather Service has issued a gale warning and high surf advisory across the coast in Northern California, calling the ocean conditions hazardous, especially for inexperienced mariners and those operating small vessels.

From Los Angeles Times

The problem is that Ronan is also forging her compelling warts-and-all portrait of obliteration and recovery in another type of gale storm, that of undisciplined filmmaking at odds with the patient harvesting of characterization.

From Los Angeles Times

By the middle of the week, there is a chances of gales and colder, northerly winds.

From BBC

By mid-week, there is a risk of gales and even colder northerly winds.

From BBC

Later in the week, there is a risk of gales and even colder northerly winds.

From BBC

Related Words

• cyclone
• hurricane
• monsoon
• squall
• tornado
• wind
• windstorm