What does "flurry" mean?
A light, brief snowfall; a shower of snow.
Flurry
/ˈflʌ.ɹi/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A light, brief snowfall; a shower of snow.
- Grammar: flurry is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: fuss, stir, activity, addle.
- Useful contrasts: calm, clear weather, quiet.
- Usage evidence: Everyone hoped for a snow flurry for Christmas.
How to use "flurry"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "flurry" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "flurry" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "flurry" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "flurry" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "flurry" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "fuss" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "flurry", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A light, brief snowfall; a shower of snow.
- 2 a rapid active commotion wordnet
- 3 A sudden and brief blast or gust; a light, temporary breeze.
"a flurry of wind"
- 4 a light brief snowfall and gust of wind (or something resembling that) wordnet
- 5 A shower of dust, leaves etc. brought on by a sudden gust of wind.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Any sudden activity; a stir. figuratively
""I missed the beast in my flurry, but he dropped you all right and was off like a streak.""
- 7 A snack consisting of soft ice cream mixed with small pieces of fruit, cookie crumbs, etc.
"Does your "Forbidden Foods" list include banana splits, ice cream sundaes, slurpies, popsicles, frozen yogurts, milk shakes, and ice cream flurries? These foods taste great but have a reputation for being bad for your health."
- 8 The violent spasms of a dying whale.
"Again and again to such gamesome talk, the dexterous dart is repeated, the spear returning to its master like a greyhound held in skilful leash. The agonized whale goes into his flurry; the tow-line is slackened, and the pitchpoler dropping astern, folds his hands, and mutely watches the monster die."
- 9 An occurrence of something (countable instances) in large numbers, happening suddenly or in a short period of time.
"The fencer landed a flurry of hits on her opponent."
Verb
- 1 To agitate, bewilder, fluster. transitive
"And so venturing not to say another word, poor Jemima trotted off, exceedingly flurried and nervous."
- 2 cause to feel embarrassment wordnet
- 3 To move or fall in a flurry. intransitive
- 4 move in an agitated or confused manner wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"Everyone hoped for a snow flurry for Christmas."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "flurry"?
Common synonyms include: fuss, stir, activity, addle, addle the wits, ado.
How do you use "flurry" in a sentence?
Everyone hoped for a snow flurry for Christmas.
How do you pronounce "flurry"?
Pronounced /ˈflʌ.ɹi/.
Etymology
Perhaps an American English blend of flutter and hurry. Alternatively, perhaps from an obsolete term flurr (“scatter”).