noun
Uncommon
tempest
TEHM-puhst
Tempest (noun) means a violent storm, especially one with fierce winds. Example: “The ship was tossed about by a fierce tempest.”
noun
1
A violent storm, especially one with fierce winds.
"The ship was tossed about by a fierce tempest."
2
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
"The announcement provoked a tempest of criticism online."
How to use tempest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA violent storm, or figuratively, a sudden burst of trouble or emotion.
Common mistake
Mostly literary or old-fashioned now — everyday English usually says "storm."
Common pairings
a raging tempest
a tempest of outrage
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Word forms
- Plural
- tempests
- Third person singular
- tempests
- Past tense
- tempested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ship was tossed about by a fierce _____.
Etymology
From Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas, "storm, season, weather" — from tempus, "time."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tempest” mean?
The word “tempest” means a violent storm, especially one with fierce winds. In plain terms, a violent storm, or figuratively, a sudden burst of trouble or emotion.
How do you pronounce “tempest”?
“Tempest” is pronounced TEHM-puhst (/ˈtɛm.pəst/ in IPA).
How do you use “tempest” in a sentence?
Here is “tempest” used in a sentence: “The ship was tossed about by a fierce tempest.”
What part of speech is “tempest”?
“Tempest” is a noun.
Where does the word “tempest” come from?
The word “tempest” comes from Latin. From Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas, "storm, season, weather" — from tempus, "time.".
Is “tempest” a common word?
“Tempest” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tempest” have?
“Tempest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a violent storm, especially one with fierce winds.
