English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun B1 Intermediate

snowstorm

SNOHS-tawm

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Snowstorm (noun) means a storm featuring strong winds and heavy snowfall. Example: “The snowstorm shut down the highway for two days.”

noun

1

A storm featuring strong winds and heavy snowfall.

"The snowstorm shut down the highway for two days."

How to use snowstorm

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA storm with heavy snow and wind, worse than an ordinary snowfall.

Easily confused with

blizzard →

Common pairings

severe snowstorm snowstorm warning

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: snowstorms

Test yourself on “snowstorm” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ shut down the highway for two days.

Etymology

From earlier snow-storm, snow storm, equivalent to snow + storm. Compare Scots snawstorm (“snowstorm”), Saterland Frisian Sneestoarm (“snowstorm”), West Frisian sniestoarm (“snowstorm”), Dutch sneeuwstorm (“snowstorm”), German Low German Sneestorm (“snowstorm”), German Schneesturm (“snowstorm”), Danish snestorm (“snowstorm”), Swedish snöstorm (“snowstorm”), Icelandic snjóstormur (“snowstorm”). Compare also Middle English storm of snow (“snowstorm”).

Synonyms

blizzard

Related words

wind snow rash blizzard

Frequently asked questions

What does “snowstorm” mean?

The word “snowstorm” means a storm featuring strong winds and heavy snowfall. In plain terms, a storm with heavy snow and wind, worse than an ordinary snowfall.

How do you pronounce “snowstorm”?

“Snowstorm” is pronounced SNOHS-tawm (/ˈsnəʊstɔːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “snowstorm” in a sentence?

Here is “snowstorm” used in a sentence: “The snowstorm shut down the highway for two days.”

What part of speech is “snowstorm”?

“Snowstorm” is a noun.

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etymology from Wiktionary