# gale

/ˈɡeɪɫ/ (US) · /ɡˈeɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gale
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. strong wind

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. outburst of laughter

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a sudden, loud sound of many people laughing.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a type of shrub

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The ship stayed in the harbour to avoid the gale.
- The weather forecast warned of a gale blowing in from the Atlantic, so we secured all the garden furniture.
- The small fishing vessel struggled against the rising gale, its hull battered by waves that threatened to overwhelm the deck as the storm intensified throughout the night.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.