storm
stawm
Storm (noun) means a period of violent weather with strong winds and often rain, thunder, or snow. Example: “A storm knocked out power across half the city.”
noun
1
A period of violent weather with strong winds and often rain, thunder, or snow.
"A storm knocked out power across half the city."
"They took shelter as the storm rolled in from the coast."
"The storm blew down several trees in our street overnight."
verb
1
To move quickly and angrily.
"She stormed out of the meeting without another word."
"The toddler stormed into his bedroom and slammed the door behind him."
"When she read the email, she stormed over to her manager's desk."
2
To attack and take a fortified place by force.
"Troops stormed the castle at dawn."
"In the film, the rebels storm the fortress and raise their flag."
"The old fort was stormed by soldiers who climbed over its walls."
How to use storm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishViolent weather, or (figuratively) a sudden burst of anger, activity, or force.
Common pairings
storm out
storm a building
weather the storm
brewing storm
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Word forms
- Plural
- storms
- Third person singular
- storms
- Past tense
- stormed
- Archaic forms
- stormest, stormedst, stormeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ knocked out power across half the city.
Etymology
From Old English storm, an ancient Germanic word related to Dutch storm and German Sturm.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for storm
See all rhymes for storm →Frequently asked questions
What does “storm” mean?
The word “storm” means a period of violent weather with strong winds and often rain, thunder, or snow. In plain terms, violent weather, or (figuratively) a sudden burst of anger, activity, or force.
How do you pronounce “storm”?
“Storm” is pronounced stawm (/stɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “storm” in a sentence?
Here is “storm” used in a sentence: “A storm knocked out power across half the city.”
What is another word for “storm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “storm” include procelle.
What part of speech is “storm”?
Depending on how it is used, “storm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “storm” come from?
The word “storm” comes from Old English. From Old English storm, an ancient Germanic word related to Dutch storm and German Sturm.
Is “storm” a common word?
“Storm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “storm” have?
“Storm” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period of violent weather with strong winds and often rain, thunder, or snow.
What is the difference between a storm and a hurricane?
A storm is any spell of violent weather with strong winds and often rain, thunder, or snow. A hurricane is a specific, very large and powerful storm: a rotating system that forms over warm oceans with sustained winds above 74 mph. Every hurricane is a storm, but most storms are far smaller and milder.
What are the main types of storm?
Storms come in many forms: thunderstorms with lightning, rainstorms and downpours, snowstorms and blizzards, windstorms and gales, hailstorms, and dust or sandstorms. The largest and most violent include hurricanes, cyclones, and tornadoes. What they share is a burst of intense, disruptive weather, though the main ingredient — wind, rain, snow, or dust — varies.
What is the difference between a storm and a tempest?
The two mean much the same thing: a period of violent weather. 'Storm' is the everyday word, while 'tempest' is more literary and dramatic, suggesting an especially fierce storm. You will meet 'tempest' more often in poetry, older writing, and figurative phrases than in a modern weather forecast.
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