noun
squall
SKWAWL
Squall (noun) means a sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow. Example: “A squall blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat.”
noun
1
A sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow.
"A squall blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat."
verb
1
To cry or wail loudly, especially of a baby.
"The baby squalled all through the flight."
"she wrapped the squalling, wriggling baby tightly into the fine cotton sheet"
— Anne McCafferey, Masterharper of Pern (1998)
How to use squall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden violent storm, or a loud crying/wailing sound.
Common pairings
sudden squall
squall line
squall of wind
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Word forms
- Plural
- squalls
- Third person singular
- squalls
- Past tense
- squalled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat.
Etymology
From Old Norse skvala, "to cry out", likely influenced by "squeal" and "bawl."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “squall” mean?
The word “squall” means a sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow. In plain terms, a sudden violent storm, or a loud crying/wailing sound.
How do you pronounce “squall”?
“Squall” is pronounced SKWAWL (/ˈskwɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “squall” in a sentence?
Here is “squall” used in a sentence: “A squall blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat.”
What part of speech is “squall”?
Depending on how it is used, “squall” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squall” come from?
The word “squall” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse skvala, "to cry out", likely influenced by "squeal" and "bawl.".
How many meanings does “squall” have?
“Squall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow.
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