gust
B2Neutral to formal; common in weather reports and descriptive writing.
Definition
Meaning
A sudden, strong rush of wind.
A sudden, brief, and intense burst or outpouring of something, such as wind, emotion, sound, or activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun for a burst of wind; can be used as a verb meaning 'to blow in gusts'. The extended meaning often implies a brief, uncontrolled, and forceful surge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more literary or descriptive in everyday British use; standard in American meteorological contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
A gust of [noun: wind, air, laughter, emotion]Gust [verb: to + infinitive, e.g., 'gust to 50 mph']Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Fitful gusts and starts”
- “Gusts of laughter/applause”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'a gust of activity in the markets'.
Academic
Used in meteorology, environmental science, and descriptive literature.
Everyday
Common in weather descriptions: 'Watch out for gusts on the bridge.'
Technical
Meteorology: a rapid, significant increase in wind speed above a defined threshold.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wind began to gust fiercely, rattling the windows.
- It's gusting to nearly 60 miles per hour on the coast.
American English
- Winds are expected to gust up to 45 mph tonight.
- The storm gusted through the valley, downing trees.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A strong gust of wind blew my hat off.
- Be careful, the wind gusts on this hill.
- We felt a sudden cold gust as the door opened.
- The weather forecast warns of gusty conditions tomorrow.
- A violent gust shook the old house, making the timbers creak.
- His speech was interrupted by a gust of applause from the crowd.
- The political scandal prompted a gust of outrage across social media.
- Winds gusting at hurricane force caused widespread damage to the infrastructure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GUST' as a 'GUSH' of wind that you must brace against.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ACTIVITY IS WIND (e.g., a gust of laughter, a gust of panic).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'ветерок' (breeze) – a gust is stronger and sudden. Closer to 'порыв ветра'.
- Do not confuse with 'gusto' (enthusiasm), though they share an etymological root.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'gust' for a steady wind (incorrect).
- Pronouncing it as /ɡʊst/ (like 'good') instead of /ɡʌst/ (like 'gun').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gust' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary meaning is a sudden rush of wind, it is commonly used metaphorically for any sudden, forceful burst (e.g., a gust of laughter, a gust of emotion).
A breeze is a light, gentle, and often steady wind. A gust is a sudden, brief, and strong rush of wind within a generally lighter wind flow.
Yes, 'to gust' means to blow in gusts. It is used primarily for wind (e.g., 'The wind gusted all night').
Yes, 'gusty' is frequently used in weather forecasts and descriptions to mean characterized by or blowing in gusts (e.g., 'gusty winds', 'a gusty day').