- 1[countable, uncountable] a gray or white mass made of very small drops of water, that floats in the sky The sun went behind a cloud. It was scorching and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The plane was flying in cloud most of the way. Topic CollocationsThe Weathergood weather
- be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine
- the sun shines/warms something/beats down (on something)
- the sunshine breaks/streams through something
- fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky
- a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm breeze blows in/comes in off the sea
- the snow crunches beneath/under somebody's feet/boots
- thick/dark/storm clouds form/gather/roll in/cover the sky/block out the sun
- the sky darkens/turns black
- a fine mist hangs in the air
- a dense/heavy/thick fog rolls in
- the rain falls/comes down (in buckets/sheets)/pours down
- snow falls/comes down/covers something/blankets something
- the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through something/sweeps across something
- strong/gale-force winds blow/gust (up to 80 mph)
- a storm is approaching/is moving inland/hits/strikes/rages
- thunder rolls/rumbles/sounds
- (forked/sheet) lightning strikes/hits/flashes
- a (blinding/snow) blizzard hits/strikes/blows/rages
- a tornado touches down/hits/strikes/destroys something/rips through something
- forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane
- rain pours (down)
- get caught in/seek shelter from/escape the rain
- be covered/shrouded in mist/a blanket of fog
- be in for/brave/shelter from a/the storm
- hear rolling/distant thunder
- be battered/buffeted by strong winds
- battle against/brave the elements
- the sun breaks through the clouds
- the sky clears/brightens (up)/lightens (up)
- the clouds part/clear
- the rain stops/lets up/holds off
- the wind dies down
- the storm passes
- the mist/fog lifts/clears
- 2[countable] a large mass of something in the air, for example dust or smoke, or a number of insects flying all together
- 3[countable] something that makes you feel sad or anxious Her father's illness cast a cloud over her wedding day. The only dark cloud on the horizon was that they might have to move. He still has a cloud of suspicion hanging over him. Idioms
- 1to be thinking about something that is not connected with what you are doing
- 2to have ideas, plans, etc. that are not realistic
every sad or difficult situation has a positive side
extremely happy
if someone is under a cloud, other people think that they have done something wrong and are suspicious of them She resigned under a cloud.
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