# gust

/ˈɡəst/ (US) · /ɡˈʌst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gust
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a sudden, strong rush of wind. It usually lasts for a short time and is much faster than the wind around it.

For teachers: a sudden, brief increase in the speed of the wind. Often used to describe weather conditions that are unpredictable or turbulent.

## Examples

- A sudden gust of wind blew my hat off.
- The sailors tightened their grip on the ropes as a powerful gust hit the sails without warning.
- While the average wind speed remained low, occasional gusts reaching fifty miles per hour made the bridge crossing hazardous for high-sided vehicles.

## Usage notes

- Commonly pairs with the preposition 'of' followed by 'wind', 'air', or 'laughter'.

---

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.