stormy petrel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (the figurative use is literary/political)Literary, journalistic, political (figurative); ornithological/technical (literal)
Quick answer
What does “stormy petrel” mean?
A small black seabird (family Hydrobatidae), known for flying low over the water and being seen near ships before storms, giving rise to its name.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small black seabird (family Hydrobatidae), known for flying low over the water and being seen near ships before storms, giving rise to its name.
A person or thing that foreshadows or incites trouble, unrest, or radical change; a harbinger of conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The bird is also commonly called 'storm petrel' or 'Mother Carey's chicken' in both.
Connotations
Figurative use retains the same literary/political connotation in both variants.
Frequency
Equally low in both variants; more likely encountered in literary or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “stormy petrel” in a Sentence
[Person/Thing] is/was a stormy petrel of/in [domain, e.g., politics].[Person/Thing] arrived/acted like a stormy petrel.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could describe a disruptive innovator or a person who signals major market upheaval.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, and political science to describe figures who precipitate change or conflict.
Everyday
Very rare. Would be considered a sophisticated or literary term.
Technical
Used in ornithology and marine biology to refer to the seabird species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stormy petrel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stormy petrel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stormy petrel”
- Confusing 'petrel' with 'petal'.
- Misinterpreting the figurative term as positive (it is neutral/negative).
- Using it to describe the weather itself (e.g., 'a stormy petrel night').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency term. Its literal meaning is specific to ornithology, and its figurative use is literary or journalistic.
Rarely. It typically implies disruption. However, it could be used admiringly for someone who instigates necessary but unpopular change.
A 'black sheep' is a disgrace or odd one out in a family/group. A 'stormy petrel' is someone whose presence or actions cause or signal trouble or upheaval, not necessarily personal disgrace.
No. It is a noun phrase written as two separate words, whether referring to the bird or used figuratively.
A small black seabird (family Hydrobatidae), known for flying low over the water and being seen near ships before storms, giving rise to its name.
Stormy petrel is usually literary, journalistic, political (figurative); ornithological/technical (literal) in register.
Stormy petrel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɔːmi ˈpetrəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɔːrmi ˈpetrəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A stormy petrel (of something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PETREL bird that flies ahead of a STORM, warning sailors. A person who acts like this bird 'brings the storm' of trouble or change with them.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A HARBINGER (of trouble/change) // DISRUPTION/TROUBLE IS A STORM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary figurative meaning of 'stormy petrel'?