hurricane

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A violent tropical storm with very strong rotating winds, heavy rain, and low pressure, forming over warm ocean water.

   Grammar: Countable: a hurricane, two hurricanes; in the Atlantic this term is standard.

   Patterns

   • a category 4 hurricane
   • a hurricane hits land
   • evacuate before a hurricane

   The hurricane knocked out power across the coastal county.

   Forecasters warned that the hurricane could strengthen overnight.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A sudden, powerful outpouring or attack of something, used figuratively for noise, emotion, or criticism.

   Grammar: Countable figurative use; often follows of: a hurricane of applause.

   Patterns

   • a hurricane of applause
   • a hurricane of criticism
   • a hurricane of activity

   The announcement was met with a hurricane of applause.

   Her inbox received a hurricane of complaints after the error.

Word forms

Common combinations

hurricane season

They bought batteries before hurricane season began.

a hurricane warning

A hurricane warning means dangerous conditions are expected soon.

hurricane-force winds

Hurricane-force winds tore branches from the trees.

survive a hurricane

The old lighthouse survived many hurricanes.

evacuate for a hurricane

Residents evacuated for a hurricane as the storm surge rose.

Synonyms and how they differ

cyclone

A broader term for rotating storms; in some regions it replaces hurricane rather than contrasting with it.

typhoon

The same kind of storm in the northwestern Pacific; learners should not call an Atlantic storm a typhoon.

storm

General weather word; a hurricane is a specific, much more dangerous tropical storm.

Opposites

Word family

hurricane lamp noun

A protected lamp designed to stay lit in wind.

Commonly confused: hurricane or tornado?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hurricane”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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