Gale: meaning, definitions and examples

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gale

[ɡeɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

storm

A very strong wind

Synonyms

hurricane, storm, tempest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gale	Refers to very strong winds, typically used in maritime contexts or to describe forceful weather conditions on land. Not as severe as a hurricane. The fishing boats had to return to the harbor due to the gale The gale-force winds knocked over trees and power lines
storm	A general term for any disturbed state of an atmosphere, which can vary in severity from rain showers to severe thunderstorms. The storm brought heavy rainfall and lightning We stayed indoors to avoid the storm
hurricane	Describes a severe tropical storm with extremely strong winds and heavy rains. Often mentioned in the context of large-scale natural disasters. The city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina The meteorologists are tracking a hurricane heading towards the coast
tempest	Typically used in a literary or poetic sense to describe violent and turbulent weather, particularly with a sense of drama or chaos. The protagonist battled through the tempest to reach safety The ship was lost at sea during a fierce tempest

Examples of usage

The gale blew down trees and power lines.
The sailors battled against the gale to keep the ship afloat.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

emotion

A burst of laughter

Synonyms

burst, fit, outburst.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gale	Commonly used to describe a burst of loud, hearty laughter, usually in a social context. They burst into gales of laughter after hearing the joke. The room was filled with gales of laughter during the comedy show.
burst	Often used to describe something that happens suddenly and forcefully, like an explosion or a sudden rush. The balloon burst with a loud pop, startling everyone in the room. She felt a sudden burst of energy as she crossed the finish line.
outburst	Often used to describe a sudden expression of strong emotion, such as anger or excitement, usually unexpected and intense. His angry outburst scared everyone in the meeting. She couldn't contain her outburst of joy when she received the good news.
fit	Typically used to describe a sudden, uncontrollable outburst of emotion or physical effort, often in a medical or emotional context. He had a fit of anger and started shouting at everyone. She was sent home from school due to having a fit during class.

Examples of usage

Her joke caused a gale of laughter among the audience.
The comedian's performance was met with gales of laughter.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

laugh

To laugh loudly and heartily

Synonyms

chuckle, laugh heartily, roar with laughter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gale	Used to describe a sudden burst of laughter, often from a group of people, that is both loud and uncontrollable. The comedian's joke set off a gale of laughter in the audience. She could not help but explode into gales of laughter at his silly antics.
laugh heartily	Describes a more enthusiastic and loud form of laughter, which comes from deep within and often indicates genuine amusement or joy. They laughed heartily at the unexpected surprise. He laughed heartily at his friend's hilarious impression.
chuckle	Refers to a quiet or suppressed type of laughter, often mild and usually not very loud. Typically used in more polite or restrained settings. He let out a small chuckle at her witty remark. She couldn't help but chuckle softly while reading the funny story.
roar with laughter	Implies an even louder and more intense type of laughter, often uncontrollable and typically associated with extreme amusement or something very funny. The audience roared with laughter at the comedy show. He made a joke that had everyone roaring with laughter.

Examples of usage

The children galed at the silly clown.
The friends galed together at the hilarious movie.

Interesting Facts

Meteorology

Gales are defined as winds that blow between 34 and 40 knots (39 to 46 miles per hour), strong enough to cause damage.
There are different types of gales, including coastal gales and tropical gales, each having unique characteristics depending on the weather system.
The famous Beaufort scale categorizes winds from a light breeze to a hurricane; gales fall into the upper end of this scale.

Literature

In literature, gales often symbolize turmoil or conflict, representing powerful emotions or events in a story.
The term has been used in poetry to evoke feelings of chaos and nature’s fury, as seen in works like 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge.
Gales serve as metaphors for sudden changes or challenges that characters face, making them a popular element in narrative storytelling.

History

During the Age of Sail, gales posed significant challenges for sailors, affecting navigation and the safety of wooden ships.
In 1703, a great storm, known as the Great Storm of 1703, featured extreme gales and caused widespread destruction in Southern England.
Historical records of shipwrecks often mention gales as a primary cause, highlighting their power and unpredictability at sea.

Cultural References

The phrase 'to be in the gale' is often used in idioms to denote being in a tumultuous situation or facing difficulties.
In nautical culture, sailors developed songs and superstitions around gales, enhancing camaraderie during storms.
Gales have inspired countless art pieces, from paintings illustrating stormy seas to music capturing the sound and fury of fierce winds.

Science

Wind patterns, including gales, influence climate and weather systems, playing critical roles in phenomena like storms and hurricanes.
Research shows that gales contribute to ocean mixing, which impacts marine ecosystems and nutrient distribution.
Understanding gales is essential for meteorologists predicting severe weather and studying climate change effects on wind patterns.

Translations

Translations of the word "gale" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vendaval

🇮🇳 आंधी

🇩🇪 Sturm

🇮🇩 badai

🇺🇦 буря

🇵🇱 wichura

🇯🇵 疾風 (shippū)

🇫🇷 tempête

🇪🇸 vendaval

🇹🇷 fırtına

🇰🇷 강풍 (gangpung)

🇸🇦 عاصفة شديدة

🇨🇿 vichřice

🇸🇰 víchrica

🇨🇳 大风 (dàfēng)

🇸🇮 vihar

🇮🇸 hvassviðri

🇰🇿 дауыл

🇬🇪 ქარიშხალი (qarishxali)

🇦🇿 qasırğa

🇲🇽 vendaval

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,831, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11828 annotated
11829 infrequent
11830 inhalation
11831 gale
11832 glaring
11833 blasting
11834 chariot
...