noun
tempest
TEHM-puhst
noun
1
A violent storm, especially one with fierce winds.
"The ship was tossed about by a fierce tempest."
2
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
"The announcement provoked a tempest of criticism online."
How to Use Tempest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA violent storm, or figuratively, a sudden burst of trouble or emotion.
Common mistake
Mostly literary or old-fashioned now — everyday English usually says "storm."
Common pairings
a raging tempest
a tempest of outrage
Word Forms
tempested past tense, tempests plural, Tempests plural, tempests singular
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The ship was tossed about by a fierce _____.
Etymology
From Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas, "storm, season, weather" — from tempus, "time."