- 1very bad weather with strong winds and rain, and often thunder and lightning fierce/heavy/violent storms A few minutes later the storm broke (= began). I think we're in for a storm (= going to have one). storm damage 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
- Drizzle is fine light rain.
- A shower is a short period of rain.
- A downpour or a cloudburst is a heavy fall of rain that often starts suddenly.
- When it is raining very hard, you can say that it is pouring or pouring rain. You can also say:The heavens opened. or It's raining cats and dogs.
- A flood is a lot of water moving into an area.
- A flash flood moves into an area very quickly and is extremely dangerous.
- A thunderstorm is a storm with thunder and lightning and usually very heavy rain.
- A hurricane has very strong winds and begins at sea.
- A monsoon is a period of very heavy rain in particular countries, or the wind that brings this rain.
- A cyclone and a typhoon are types of violent tropical storms with very strong winds.
- A squall is a sudden strong, violent wind, usually in a rain or snow storm.
- A tornado (or informaltwister) has very strong winds that move in a circle, often with a long narrow cloud.
- A whirlwind moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage.
- A dust storm carries clouds of dust in the wind over a wide area.
- A blizzard is a snow storm with very strong winds.
- A whiteout is a blizzard in which you cannot see anything around you.
- Tempest is used mainly in literary language to describe a violent storm.
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- 2(in compounds) very bad weather of the type mentioned a thunderstorm/snowstorm/sandstorm see electrical storm, rainstorm
- 3storm (of something) a situation in which a lot of people suddenly express very strong feelings about something a storm of protest A political storm is brewing over the President's comments.
- 4storm of something a sudden loud noise that is caused by emotion or excitement synonym roar a storm of applause see brainstorm Idioms
- 1to be extremely successful very quickly in a particular place or among particular people The play took New York by storm.
- 2to attack a place suddenly and capture it
if you are in great trouble, you take any help that is offered
a calm time immediately before an expected period of violent activity or argument
to cook, dance, etc. with great energy and enthusiasm That band can play up a storm!
Check pronunciation: storm