English Reference

Word

gale

US/ˈɡeɪɫ/

UK/ɡˈeɪl/

Definitions

01strong wind

B2

n. a very strong wind that is more powerful than a breeze but not as dangerous as a hurricane.

n. a very strong wind, specifically defined on the Beaufort scale as a force 7 to 9 wind.

“The ship stayed in the harbour because a gale was blowing at sea.”

“The hikers were forced to turn back when the moderate breeze escalated into a full gale, making it impossible to stand upright on the ridge.”

Synonyms

strong windblastgust

Antonyms

02outburst of laughter

C1

n. a sudden, loud sound of many people laughing.

n. a sudden, loud outburst of sound, most commonly associated with collective laughter.

“The comedian's joke was followed by gales of laughter from the audience.”

“His unexpected entrance in such a ridiculous costume provoked gales of laughter that echoed through the quiet hallway.”

Literary

Synonyms

Antonyms

03a type of shrub

C2

n. a small bush that grows in wet areas and has a sweet smell.

n. a low-growing shrub, Myrica gale, typically found in acidic peat bogs and coastal marshes.

“The walkers noticed the scent of sweet gale as they crossed the marsh.”

“The local brewery experimented with adding dried gale to their ale, reviving a traditional recipe from the medieval period.”

Technical

Synonyms

bog myrtlesweet gale

Word family

galeNounnightingaleNoun

Domain

Nautical

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/gale

English Reference