Word
snowstorm
Phoneticssnow·storm, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsnoʊˌstɔɹm/
UK/snˈəʊstɔːm/
Definitions
01heavy snow and wind
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a storm with a lot of snow and strong winds that make it hard to see.
n. a meteorological event involving heavy snowfall accompanied by strong winds.
“The flight was cancelled because of a sudden snowstorm at the airport.”
“The unexpected snowstorm blanketed the mountain pass in several feet of powder, forcing the local authorities to close the highway for safety.”
02a snow globe
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal
n. a glass ball filled with water and white powder that looks like snow when you shake it.
n. a decorative object consisting of a transparent sphere enclosing a miniaturized scene and liquid that, when shaken, simulates a snowfall.
“She bought a small snowstorm with a tiny Eiffel Tower inside as a souvenir.”
“The collector specialized in vintage holiday decorations, including rare hand-painted snowstorms from the early twentieth century.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From earlier snow-storm, snow storm, equivalent to snow + storm. Compare Scots snawstorm (“snowstorm”), Saterland Frisian Sneestoarm (“snowstorm”), West Frisian sniestoarm (“snowstorm”), Dutch sneeuwstorm (“snowstorm”), German Low German Sneestorm (“snowstorm”), German Schneesturm (“snowstorm”), Danish snestorm (“snowstorm”), Swedish snöstorm (“snowstorm”), Icelandic snjóstormur (“snowstorm”). Compare also Middle English storm of snow (“snowstorm”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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