Flurry: meaning, definitions and examples

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flurry

[ˈflʌri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

weather

A sudden short period of activity or excitement.

Synonyms

burst, rush, spate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flurry	Used to describe a sudden, short, and often excited movement or activity. Can also refer to a brief snowfall. There was a flurry of activity in the office as the deadline approached. We had a flurry of snow this morning, but it melted quickly.
burst	Refers to a sudden and violent breaking out or explosion. Can be used for emotions, actions, or physical phenomena. She burst into tears when she heard the news. The dam burst under the pressure of the floodwaters.
rush	Indicates a quick and often eager movement towards something. It can also suggest a sense of urgency or haste. There was a rush to submit the applications before the deadline. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he prepared for the race.
spate	Refers to a large number of similar things or events occurring in quick succession. Often used in a more formal context. The city experienced a spate of burglaries over the summer. There has been a spate of new book releases in recent months.

Examples of usage

The snowstorm hit the city in a flurry of white flakes.
The news of the merger caused a flurry of activity in the stock market.
I could feel a flurry of emotions as I waited for the results.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

activity

A sudden, brief rush or wave of intense activity (often involving many people).

Synonyms

bustle, commotion, hustle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flurry	Use 'flurry' to describe a sudden, brief burst of activity or emotion, often implying something unexpected or intensive but short-lived. There was a flurry of excitement when the celebrity arrived The flurry of snow made it hard to see the road
commotion	Use 'commotion' to describe a situation of noisy disturbance or confusion, often implying chaos and lack of order. This word has a slightly negative connotation. There was a commotion outside the theater when the fire alarm went off The unexpected announcement caused quite a commotion in the office
hustle	Use 'hustle' to describe energetic activity or movement, often suggesting urgency or efficiency. It can also have a negative connotation when referring to aggressive or underhanded behavior. You need to hustle if you want to catch the bus He tried to hustle me into buying something I didn't want
bustle	Use 'bustle' to describe a lot of busy activity or movement, often in a crowded place. It refers to constant motion but can also imply some level of organization. The marketplace was full of bustle with vendors shouting and people shopping She had to bustle around the kitchen to prepare the meal

Examples of usage

There was a flurry of calls and emails after the announcement.
The office was in a flurry of preparations for the big event.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

birds

A group of birds suddenly flying together in a quick, swirling motion.

Synonyms

flight, flock, swarm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flurry	Used to describe a sudden, brief burst of activity, emotion, or wind/snow. Commonly used in weather reports or to describe a busy period. There was a flurry of activity in the office right before the deadline. A flurry of snowflakes fell from the sky, making the roads slippery.
flock	Describes a group of birds or sheep moving together. Can also be used metaphorically for people moving together in groups. A flock of geese flew overhead, honking loudly. Tourists flocked to the new museum on its opening day.
swarm	Refers to a large group of insects, especially bees, moving together. It can also be used negatively to describe a large group of people moving in a chaotic or aggressive manner. A swarm of bees surrounded the tree, making it hard to approach. Football fans swarmed the field after their team won the championship.
flight	Refers to the act of moving through the air, typically used for birds, insects, or airplanes. Also can mean an escape or a series of consecutive steps in architecture. The bird took flight as soon as it sensed danger. We missed our flight to New York because of the traffic.

Examples of usage

We watched a flurry of starlings dance across the evening sky.
The sudden flurry of seagulls startled us as we walked along the beach.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'flurry' comes from the Middle English term 'flurrien,' which means to fly about or flutter.
Originally, 'flurry' described a sudden gust of wind or a brief burst of snow.
The term evolved in the 19th century to also mean a lively burst of activity.

Weather Phenomena

In meteorology, a flurry refers to a light snowfall that lasts for a short duration, often not accumulating much on the ground.
Flurries can create a whimsical, magical atmosphere, especially during winter holidays when they enhance festive feelings.
They often occur when cold air meets warmth, creating conditions for raindrops to freeze into snowflakes.

Pop Culture

Flurry is often depicted in holiday-themed movies where snowflakes seem to dance through the air, creating a magical setting.
In animation, flurries may symbolize surprise or chaos, like in a scene where numerous characters rush in unexpectedly.
The term has made its way into slang, sometimes describing a sudden influx of excitement or energy.

Psychology

Experiencing a flurry of emotions can happen when someone is overwhelmed by a sudden rush of feelings, such as joy or surprise.
In stress management, a 'flurry' of thoughts can signify anxiety, where many concerns rush into a person's mind at once.
Activities that generate a flurry can increase dopamine levels, making them feel exciting and rewarding.

Sports

In sports terminology, a flurry can describe a quick sequence of plays or actions, like a flurry of points scored in a short time.
Athletes often exert a flurry of energy and effort during moments of intense competition or decisive gameplay.
Games can become thrilling when there's a flurry of actions happening, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Translations

Translations of the word "flurry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rajada

🇮🇳 झोंका

🇩🇪 Bö

🇮🇩 hembusan

🇺🇦 порив

🇵🇱 podmuch

🇯🇵 突風 (とっぷう)

🇫🇷 rafale

🇪🇸 ráfaga

🇹🇷 ani esinti

🇰🇷 돌풍

🇸🇦 عاصفة

🇨🇿 poryv

🇸🇰 nával

🇨🇳 阵风 (zhènfēng)

🇸🇮 sunek

🇮🇸 vindhviða

🇰🇿 жел

🇬🇪 გუდვა

🇦🇿 külək

🇲🇽 ráfaga

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,506, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18503 determinable
18504 tagging
18505 reeling
18506 flurry
18507 discarding
18508 aberrant
18509 retinue
...