gust

Everyday

1. A sudden strong rush of wind. tree →
2. A sudden burst of something, like rain, smoke or laughter. tree →
3. (verb) Of wind: to blow in sudden strong bursts. tree →

In the lessons

In weather lessons, weather reports give wind speed and gusts; strong gusts can knock things over, bend trees and make cycling dangerous. In stories, a gust of wind blows a hat away or slams a door, often starting the action. Phrases: «a gust of wind», «gusts of up to», «gusting wind».

Examples

• A gust of wind blew my hat into the pond. tree →
• The door slammed shut in a sudden gust. tree →
• Winds gusted up to 80 kilometres an hour. tree →
• A strong gust knocked over the bins. tree →
• Hold your kite string tight in the gusts. tree →
• A gust of laughter came from the next room. tree →
• Be careful cycling on bridges on gusty days. tree →
• The candle went out in a gust from the window. tree →
• A gust of wind swept through the foliage, and the leaves fell in a shower. tree →

Note

Countable: a gust, gusts. Adjective: «gusty» (a gusty day). A gust is short; a steady wind blows all the time.