noun
C2
Proficient
maelstrom
MAYL-struhm
Maelstrom (noun) means a large, violent whirlpool. Example: “The current pulled the small boat toward a churning maelstrom near the rocks.”
noun
1
A large, violent whirlpool.
"The current pulled the small boat toward a churning maelstrom near the rocks."
2
A chaotic, turbulent, or overwhelming situation.
"The scandal plunged the company into a maelstrom of lawsuits and resignations."
"She stepped off the plane straight into a maelstrom of reporters and cameras."
How to use maelstrom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous whirlpool, or — more commonly today — any chaotic, swirling mess of events.
Common pairings
a maelstrom of
caught in a maelstrom
a political maelstrom
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Word forms
- Plural
- maelstroms
Fill the gap
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The current pulled the small boat toward a churning _____ near the rocks.
Etymology
Originally the name of a legendary whirlpool off the coast of Norway, from Dutch maelstrom ("whirling stream"); popularized in English by Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 story "A Descent into the Maelström".
Class of 1841
maelstrom joined the language around 1841.
See the full Class of 1841 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “maelstrom” mean?
The word “maelstrom” means a large, violent whirlpool. In plain terms, a dangerous whirlpool, or — more commonly today — any chaotic, swirling mess of events.
How do you pronounce “maelstrom”?
“Maelstrom” is pronounced MAYL-struhm (/ˈmeɪl.stɹəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “maelstrom” in a sentence?
Here is “maelstrom” used in a sentence: “The current pulled the small boat toward a churning maelstrom near the rocks.”
What is another word for “maelstrom”?
Words with a similar meaning to “maelstrom” include vortex.
What part of speech is “maelstrom”?
“Maelstrom” is a noun.
Where does the word “maelstrom” come from?
The word “maelstrom” dates back to around 1841 and comes from Dutch. Originally the name of a legendary whirlpool off the coast of Norway, from Dutch maelstrom ("whirling stream"); popularized in English by Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 story "A Descent into the Maelström".
How many meanings does “maelstrom” have?
“Maelstrom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, violent whirlpool.
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