sirocco

[ suh-rok-oh ]

noun

, plural si·roc·cos.

1. a hot, dry, dustladen wind blowing from northern Africa and affecting parts of southern Europe.
2. a warm, sultry south or southeast wind accompanied by rain, occurring in the same regions.
3. any hot, oppressive wind, especially one in the warm sector of a cyclone.

sirocco

/ sɪˈrɒkəʊ /

noun

1. a hot oppressive and often dusty wind usually occurring in spring, beginning in N Africa and reaching S Europe
2. any hot southerly wind, esp one moving to a low pressure centre

Word History and Origins

Origin of sirocco¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Italian, variant of scirocco, from Arabic sharq “east”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sirocco¹

C17: from Italian, from Arabic sharq east wind

Example Sentences

As locals will tell you, nature is in charge here, and when a sirocco hits, you have to go with the flow.

From New York Times

“It has swept over the land from East to West with the violence of the sirocco, scorching men's brains as it passed, and apparently making them temporarily insane,” quivered the Chicago Tribune.

From Literature

In rehearsals for a 2018 Manchester Collective show, “Sirocco,” Selaocoe “would sing things to demonstrate to other ensemble members,” Adam Szabo, the chief executive of the group, said in a recent phone interview.

From New York Times

Flynn asked him to help take his yacht, Sirocco, back to California, but the departure date kept being put off, so Mr. Gesner went home.

From New York Times

The Navy said the Sirocco fired a warning flare during the encounter as well.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sandstorm