noun B1 Intermediate Common

tornado

taw-NAY-doh

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Tornado (noun) means a violently spinning column of air that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch the ground, capable of destroying almost everything in its path. Example: “The tornado tore the roof off the barn in seconds.”

noun

A violently spinning column of air that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch the ground, capable of destroying almost everything in its path.

"The tornado tore the roof off the barn in seconds."

"Residents took shelter as the tornado warning sounded."

"The family hid in the cellar while a tornado passed over their farm."

How to use tornado

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA violent, rotating funnel of wind that drops from a storm and can flatten buildings.

Common mistake

A tornado forms over land; a similar storm over water is usually called a waterspout, and a hurricane is a much larger tropical storm system, not the same thing.

Common pairings

tornado warning tornado touched down category of tornado

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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: tornadoes, tornados
Third person singular: tornados
Past tense: tornadoed

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ tore the roof off the barn in seconds.

Etymology

Traced back to 1550s nautical English "ternado," itself from Spanish tronada ("thunderstorm"), from tronar ("to thunder"), ultimately from Latin tonare. The letters got swapped around (a process called metathesis) under the influence of the similar Spanish word tornar, "to turn."

Origin: Latin · First attested 1550

Class of 1550 tornado joined the language around 1550.

makeshift

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Synonyms

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twister cyclone whirlwind crack

Related words

go shot break offer pass wind pop storm

Rhymes for tornado

ado dado fado mado Sado Prado mikado Dorado avocado Delgado bravado Corrado

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tornado” mean?

The word “tornado” means a violently spinning column of air that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch the ground, capable of destroying almost everything in its path. In plain terms, a violent, rotating funnel of wind that drops from a storm and can flatten buildings.

How do you pronounce “tornado”?

“Tornado” is pronounced taw-NAY-doh (/tɔɹˈneɪ.doʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “tornado” in a sentence?

Here is “tornado” used in a sentence: “The tornado tore the roof off the barn in seconds.”

What part of speech is “tornado”?

“Tornado” is a noun.

Where does the word “tornado” come from?

The word “tornado” dates back to around 1550 and comes from Latin.

Is “tornado” a common word?

“Tornado” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane?

A tornado is a violently spinning column of air that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch the ground, typically affecting a narrow, short-lived path on land. A hurricane is a much larger, longer-lasting rotating storm system that forms over warm ocean water and can spawn tornadoes as part of its broader weather system.

What is the difference between a tornado and a cyclone?

"Tornado" and "cyclone" are sometimes used loosely as synonyms in everyday speech, especially in parts of the US, but a cyclone more precisely refers to any large rotating storm system, while a tornado is specifically the smaller, ground-touching funnel that descends from a storm cloud.

What is the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud?

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that has not yet reached the ground; once it touches down and begins destroying its path, it is classified as a tornado.

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