gale
gayl
Gale (noun) means a very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm. Example: “The ship struggled to stay on course in the gale.”
noun
1
A very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm.
"The ship struggled to stay on course in the gale."
"Forecasters warned of gale-force winds along the coast."
"A gale blew down several fences and kept the ferries in port overnight."
2
A sudden, loud outburst, especially of laughter.
"The joke sent the whole room into gales of laughter."
"Gales of giggles came from the back row when the teacher tripped."
"A gale of applause greeted the singer as she walked on stage."
How to use gale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong wind, or — figuratively — a burst of laughter.
Common pairings
gale-force winds
gales of laughter
a gale blowing
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Word forms
- Plural
- gales
- Third person singular
- gales
- Past tense
- galed, gole, galen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ship struggled to stay on course in the _____.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, first recorded in English describing strong winds; possibly related to an Old Norse word for a squall.
Related words
Rhymes for gale
See all rhymes for gale →Frequently asked questions
What does “gale” mean?
The word “gale” means a very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm. In plain terms, a strong wind, or — figuratively — a burst of laughter.
How do you pronounce “gale”?
“Gale” is pronounced gayl (/ɡeɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “gale” in a sentence?
Here is “gale” used in a sentence: “The ship struggled to stay on course in the gale.”
What part of speech is “gale”?
“Gale” is a noun.
Where does the word “gale” come from?
The word “gale” comes from Old Norse. Of uncertain origin, first recorded in English describing strong winds; possibly related to an Old Norse word for a squall.
Is “gale” a common word?
“Gale” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “gale” have?
“Gale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm.
What is the difference between a gale and a storm?
A gale is a very strong wind that is more powerful than a breeze but not as violent or destructive as a full storm. Storms typically bring additional elements like heavy rain, thunder, or a wider range of damaging conditions beyond wind alone.
Is gale used mainly in weather forecasting?
Gale is commonly used in weather forecasting and maritime contexts to describe specific wind strength, but it also appears in everyday and literary language, especially in the figurative sense describing laughter or emotion.
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