Flurries: meaning, definitions and examples
❄️
flurries
[ ˈflərēz ]
weather phenomenon
Flurries refer to light, brief bursts of snow that fall from the sky. They are typically characterized by small snowflakes and do not accumulate significantly on the ground. Flurries can occur intermittently during winter storms or on their own.
Synonyms
flakes, snow, snowflakes.
Examples of usage
- The weather forecast predicts light flurries this afternoon.
- We saw flurries dance around outside as we drank our hot chocolate.
- The children were thrilled to see snow flurries outside their classroom.
Etymology
The word 'flurry' comes from the early 19th century and is derived from the Old English word 'flory,' which means 'to flutter or to fly about.' It originally referred to a brief gust of wind, often associated with a sudden burst of activity or commotion. Over time, its meaning evolved to specifically describe quick falls of snow, reflecting the way snowflakes seem to swirl and flutter in the air when they are falling. The term captures the ephemeral and playful nature of snow flurries, as they can appear dramatically but often fade away quickly without leaving much of a trace. Today, it's commonly used in meteorology to describe light snow events.