squall

¹

[ skwawl ]

noun

1. 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: Compare gust ¹( def 1 ).

   We can’t rule out some short spells of heavy rain, as occasional squalls from the north are expected later today.

2. 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.

3. 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)

1. Meteorology, Nautical. to blow as a squall:

   They say it may squall, but I say we should go ahead with our picnic plans.

squall

²

[ skwawl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to cry or scream loudly and violently:

   The hungry baby began to squall.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter in a screaming tone.

noun

1. the act or sound of squalling:

   The baby's squall was heard next door.

squall

¹

/ skwɔːl /

verb

1. intr to cry noisily; yell

noun

1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl

squall

²

/ skwɔːl /

noun

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

verb

1. intr to blow in a squall

squall

/ skwôl /

1. 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.
2. See also squall line

Derived Forms

• ˈsqualler, noun
• ˈsqually, adjective
• ˈsquallish, adjective

Other Words From

• squall·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squall¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall ²

Origin of squall²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squall¹

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

Origin of squall²

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

Example Sentences

A controlled squall of primordial guitar feedback announced their arrival.

From Seattle Times

We’d lived on a little fishing trawler then, as it goes, and it wasn’t long after my first lungful of squall met the air, that a squall far bigger found us at sea.

From Salon

Senior meteorologist Jim Dale said the village had been hit by either a tornado or a sudden squall.

From BBC

Later in the concert, she switched to piano and led her group — which also included two drummers and two bassists — in a squall of free jazz that “Journey in Satchidananda” doesn’t begin to foreshadow.

From New York Times

Another squall delayed play Saturday morning and frost pushed back tee times for three straight days, including more than an hour on Sunday.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• flurry
• gale
• gust
• shower
• windstorm