hurricane
6 synonyms for hurricane, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hurricane
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a category 5 hurricane
hurricane season
hurricane warning
weather the hurricane
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish huracán, which came from a Taíno word for a powerful storm god.
Full origin of hurricane →Frequently asked questions
What does “hurricane” mean?
The word “hurricane” means a powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific. In plain terms, a violent tropical storm — or, more loosely, any overwhelming burst of force or activity.
How do you pronounce “hurricane”?
“Hurricane” is pronounced HUH-rih-kuhn (/ˈhʌɹɪkeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hurricane” in a sentence?
Here is “hurricane” used in a sentence: “The coastal town was evacuated ahead of the hurricane.”
What part of speech is “hurricane”?
“Hurricane” is a noun.
Where does the word “hurricane” come from?
The word “hurricane” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish huracán, which came from a Taíno word for a powerful storm god.
Is “hurricane” a common word?
“Hurricane” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hurricane” have?
“Hurricane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.
What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone?
These are the same type of powerful rotating tropical storm, just named differently by region. It is called a hurricane over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, a typhoon in the western Pacific, and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
What is the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm?
The distinction is wind speed. A storm is classified as a hurricane once its sustained winds reach at least 74 miles per hour; below that threshold it is a tropical storm.
Can hurricane be used figuratively?
Yes. Beyond the weather event, hurricane can describe any sudden, overwhelming rush of activity, emotion, or force, as in a hurricane of criticism or a hurricane of applause. This figurative use emphasises intensity and speed.
