gale

Everyday

1. A very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but weaker than a hurricane. tree →
2. (gales of laughter) A sudden loud burst of laughing. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and weather: gales are measured on the Beaufort scale (force 8 is a gale); weather forecasts give «gale warnings» for sailors. In safety: stay away from trees, the sea and loose objects in a gale. In stories «gales of laughter» means lots of loud laughing. Phrases: «a gale warning», «gale-force winds», «blowing a gale».

Examples

• A gale blew down our fence last night. tree →
• There is a gale warning for the coast, so the ferries will not sail. tree →
• It's blowing a gale outside! tree →
• Gale-force winds tore the leaves off the trees. tree →
• The class burst into gales of laughter. tree →
• Ships stayed in the harbour during the gale. tree →
• "At that time there was a gale blowing. tree →

Note

Countable: a gale, gales. Order of wind strength: breeze < gale < storm < hurricane. Do not confuse with «Gail», a girl's name, which sounds the same.