squall
C1Formal (meteorological); Informal (cry/scream).
Definition
Meaning
A sudden violent gust of wind or a brief, tumultuous storm, often with rain, snow, or sleet.
1. A loud, harsh cry or scream. 2. To cry or scream noisily and violently.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meteorological sense is most formal and technical. The cry/scream sense is often used for babies, children, or animals in distress and has an informal, vivid, sometimes figurative tone (e.g., 'squalling about injustice').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The weather sense is identical in both. The verb 'to squall' (to cry) is more common in British English; Americans might favor 'scream' or 'wail' for people, though 'squall' is understood.
Connotations
In both, 'squall' evokes suddenness, violence, and a lack of control. For weather, it suggests brief intensity; for sound, it suggests a piercing, unpleasant noise.
Frequency
Low-frequency overall, but the weather sense is standard in meteorological contexts. The cry sense is somewhat literary or descriptive.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
A squall blew up/hit/passed.The baby squalled.He squalled with/in pain/rage.The wind squalled.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “squall line (meteorology: a line of thunderstorms)”
- “look for a squall (nautical: be cautious of bad weather)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like logistics or insurance (e.g., 'Shipment delays are expected due to severe squalls in the Channel.').
Academic
Used in meteorology, geography, and maritime studies. The cry sense appears in literary analysis.
Everyday
Mostly for describing sudden, rough weather (e.g., 'We got caught in a snow squall.'). The baby-crying sense is descriptive but less common.
Technical
Core term in meteorology for a sudden wind increase, often with precipitation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The infant squalled relentlessly the entire train journey.
- The wind squalled around the chimney pots.
American English
- The toddler squalled when his toy was taken away.
- Outside, the gale squalled through the pines.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form.
American English
- No established adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form. 'Squally' is used (e.g., squally showers).
American English
- No standard adjectival form. 'Squally' is used (e.g., a squally afternoon).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wind is very strong in a squall.
- A sudden squall made us run for shelter.
- The fishing boat was nearly capsized by an unexpected line squall.
- The political scandal provoked a squall of outrage from the opposition benches.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SQUIRREL (squ-) caught in a sudden storm, letting out an ALL (all) - loud cry. SQUIRREL + ALL = SQUALL.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTRESS/CHAOS IS A STORM ('A squall of protest erupted in the meeting.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шквал' (shkval), which is a correct translation for the wind sense, but 'шквал' is also used metaphorically for a barrage (e.g., of questions, fire). 'Squall' is less common in such metaphors in English. The cry sense translates better as 'визг', 'вопль', or 'крик'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'squall' for a long-lasting storm (it implies brevity).
- Confusing spelling with 'squeal' (a high-pitched cry).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'wind' instead of a specific, violent gust.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'squall' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A squall is a sudden, brief, and violent weather event, often lasting minutes. A hurricane is a large, organized storm system that lasts for days.
Yes, though it's less common. It means the wind blows in a loud, gusty, stormy way (e.g., 'The wind squalled through the wires').
'Squall' is a harsh cry or a storm. 'Squeal' is a long, high-pitched cry or sound, like that of a pig or brakes. They describe different types of noise.
It is a low-frequency word in everyday conversation but is standard and common in specific contexts like sailing, meteorology, and descriptive writing.