gale

gale — noun

1. A wind that blows very strongly, with enough force to damage buildings, knock do

1.nounB2
Definition

A wind that blows very strongly, with enough force to damage buildings, knock down trees, or make walking outdoors difficult.

Example

A sudden gale blew several trees down across the road near Quan's village.

The ferry service was cancelled because of the gale-force winds forecast for the afternoon.

compound form: gale-force winds

Common collocations
  • gale-force winds
  • a gale blows
  • fierce gale
  • gale warning
  • battered by gales
Synonyms
  • storm

    broader term that includes rain, snow, or thunder along with strong winds

  • hurricane

    much stronger and more destructive; a specific tropical system category

  • gust

    a brief, sudden burst of wind rather than a sustained strong wind

Antonyms
  • breeze

    a light, gentle wind, opposite in strength

Grammar Patterns

a + gale

gale-force + [noun]

Usage Note

Frequently used in weather forecasts and maritime reports. The compound form gale-force winds corresponds to force 8 on the Beaufort scale (34–40 knots). Distinguish from the everyday word 'wind' — a gale is specifically strong enough to cause visible damage or danger.

Common Mistakes

A light gale blew the leaves across the yard.
A light breeze blew the leaves across the yard.
A gale is by definition very strong; a gentle wind is a breeze, not a gale.
The gale lasted only a few seconds.
The gust lasted only a few seconds.
A gale is sustained strong wind; a short burst is a gust.

2. A sudden, loud burst of laughter or emotion from a group of people, often in res

2.nounB2
Definition

A sudden, loud burst of laughter or emotion from a group of people, often in response to something funny or moving.

Example

Gales of laughter echoed through the cinema during the comedy's funniest scene.

fixed phrase: gales of laughter

Diya's joke was met with such a gale of laughter that the teacher had to pause the lesson.

fixed phrase: a gale of laughter

Common collocations
  • gales of laughter
  • a gale of laughter
  • a gale of emotion
  • send someone into gales of laughter
  • met with gales of laughter
Synonyms
  • outburst

    broader; can refer to anger, crying, or any emotional release, not just laughter

  • peal

    specifically of laughter or thunder; suggests ringing, musical sound

  • roar

    describes the loud, deep sound of laughter, emphasising volume

Antonyms
  • murmur

    soft, quiet, indistinct sound, opposite of loud laughter

Grammar Patterns

gales of + [noun]

a gale of + [noun]

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed expressions 'gales of laughter' or 'a gale of laughter/emotion.' The plural form 'gales of laughter' is more common than the singular. Typically describes a collective group response rather than one person's laughter.

Common Mistakes

She laughed a gale.
She let out a gale of laughter.
'Gale' in this sense needs the preposition 'of' and a noun like 'laughter' or 'emotion.'
He felt a gale of sadness.
A wave of sadness washed over him.
'Gale' in the figurative sense is used mainly for laughter or strong emotion expressed outwardly, not for quiet internal feelings.
Idioms

gale(s) of laughter

idiom

A very loud and strong sound made by many people laughing together.

The comedian's joke brought gales of laughter from the audience.

Did you hear those gales of laughter coming from the party?

Word family

  • gale-force
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Wind is the broadest term for moving air of any strength. A gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed that lasts only seconds — the kind that might snatch a hat off your head. A gale is a sustained strong wind (Beaufort force 8–9) that can make walking difficult and cause minor structural damage. Storm is a more general term combining strong wind with precipitation (rain, snow, hail) or thunder. A hurricane is the most severe category — a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph (119 km/h) that can destroy buildings. In everyday use: 'A gust of wind blew the papers off the desk,' but 'The gale ripped tiles off the roof during the storm.'

gale ↗storm ↗hurricane ↗gustwind ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a gale of

Prepositions

  • in a gale
  • a gale of

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word gale comes from Old English gāl, meaning 'a wind' or 'storm,' and is related to Old Norse gol ('breeze') and Danish gale ('fierce wind'). By the 16th century it was firmly established in English for any very strong wind. The figurative sense describing loud laughter emerged in the 1700s, comparing the sound and sweep of collective laughter to the force of a strong wind.