noun

gale

gayl

noun

A very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm.

"The ship struggled to stay on course in the gale."

"Forecasters warned of gale-force winds along the coast."

A sudden, loud outburst, especially of laughter.

"The joke sent the whole room into gales of laughter."

How to Use Gale

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA strong wind, or — figuratively — a burst of laughter.

Common pairings

gale-force winds gales of laughter a gale blowing

galed past tense, gole past tense, galen past tense, galed past tense, gales plural, gales plural, gales singular, gales singular

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The ship struggled to stay on course in the _____.

Of uncertain origin, first recorded in English describing strong winds; possibly related to an Old Norse word for a squall.

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