What does "hurricane" mean?
A severe tropical cyclone; an intense storm rotating around a central eye.
Hurricane
/ˈhʌɹɪkən/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A severe tropical cyclone; an intense storm rotating around a central eye.
- Grammar: hurricane is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: black squall, blaze, blizzard, blow.
- Useful contrasts: calm, calm weather, italian calma.
- Usage evidence: The victims of the hurricane have not tasted food for three days.
How to use "hurricane"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hurricane" 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 "hurricane" 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 "hurricane" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hurricane" 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 "hurricane" 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 "black squall" 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.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hurricane", 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 severe tropical cyclone; an intense storm rotating around a central eye.
"THE HURRICANE OF AUGUST 1831. Calamitous as were the many eruptions of nature by which this island [Barbados] had suffered, the aggregate destruction produced by them was probably unequal to that effected by the storm of August 1831. That of 1675, according to the description given in history, very much resembled it in appearance, duration, and fury; but the extent to which human life was sacrificed is not on record. Although many persons then perished, it is reasonable to suppose that the numbers bore no proportion to those whose loss this mourning island now deplores. The hurricane of 1780, fearfully tremendous as it was, is admitted by all living witnesses to have been far much inferior in force, and less destructive to the country ; but its protracted continuance served to effect the damage then occasioned. […] Captain Charles Cooper, of the mail-boat schooner Friends, on his arrival from Trinidad, Grenada, and St. Vincent's, reported, that on the 23rd of June he had experienced a tremendous gale five leagues to the southward of Grenada. It continued without intermission for five hours, during the whole of which time the vessel was hove nearly on her beam ends. Captain J.MᶜGregor, of His Majesty's 1st or Royal Regiment, and other passengers were on board, and every one, as well as the master and crew, expected to have been entombed by the foaming ocean. At Grenada the gale was described as more severe than any that had been experienced since the hurricane of 1780. At an early hour in the morning "the sea became considerably agitated, and sent forth a noise, which, contrasted with the stillness of the atmosphere, inspired a strange and unaccountable feeling." The morning dawned with a heavy and perturbed sky, but it was not until near noon that the hurricane commenced. Between 3 and 4 in the afternoon the tempest had attained its height, after which it gradually moderated. The damage inflicted on the country was severely felt, but with one exception there was no loss of life."
- 2 "full—triple-full—full" – an acrobatic maneuver consisting of three flips and five twists, with one twist on the first flip, three twists on the second flip, one twist on the third flip
- 3 A British fighter aircraft used during World War II, especially during the Battle of Britain. historical
- 4 a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale) wordnet
- 5 A severe tropical cyclone in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or in the eastern North Pacific off the west coast of Mexico, with winds of 119 km/h (74 miles per hour) or greater accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes.
"Near-synonyms: typhoon, cyclone"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A great forceful onrush. figuratively
"[A]fter all thoſe Hurricans of Fury and Violence are novv blovvn over, vve enjoy a ſerene Air, and the happy quiet vvhich vve had ſo much long'd for."
- 7 A sweet alcoholic drink made with rum, lemon juice (or sometimes other fruit juice), and either passion fruit syrup or fassionola.
Verb
- 1 To be violent, with winds of 119 km/h (74 miles per hour) or greater, usually accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder. ambitransitive
"Through the night it rained, hurricaned; sashes rattled; the chimney smoked; a lobby-door was ajar, and kept banging to and fro."
- 2 To move noisily, quickly, and dramatically, becoming the center of attention.
"While thus employed, Mrs. Winthrop hurricaned into the room, and having received explanations, hurricaned forth again to tell her husband how dreadfully thoughtless his arrangement was, since Frank would have to take Miss Allenby into dinner."
- 3 To attempt to accomplish a great deal with a frenzied effort.
"There were still spots on the mirror I had cleaned and tiny bits of newspaper were stuck in its edges where I had hurricaned through in my initial cleaning frenzy."
- 4 To swirl quickly and violently.
"A whole swirl of turnarounds hurricaned from him."
- 5 To tear apart in a violent, destructive, and/or chaotic manner.
"Urganda, hurricaned with violent perturbation of mind commences the fourth act; and, after a soliloquy, or rather incantation, raises a dæmon of revenge;"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To cause an uproar.
"What do they therefore but quickly get themselves into a body, and fall forthwith to hurricaning in Mansoul, as if now nothing but whirlwind and tempest should be there."
- 7 To storm excessivly; to fume and rage violently.
"He rang for the cook, and stormed and hurricaned and cycloned at her until the rain-clouds burst, and she wept."
- 8 To chase violently or rush after and force along.
"As he hurricaned toward her, she turned and ran to the drop-off place."
Proper Noun
- 1 A locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia.
- 2 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Baldwin County, Alabama.
- 3 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Perry County, Kentucky.
- 4 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Crooked Creek Township, Bollinger County, Missouri.
- 5 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Washington County, Missouri.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Madison County, North Carolina.
- 7 A number of places in the United States:; A city in Washington County, Utah.
- 8 A number of places in the United States:; A city in Putnam County, West Virginia.
- 9 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Beetown, Grant County, Wisconsin.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The victims of the hurricane have not tasted food for three days."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hurricane"?
Common synonyms include: black squall, blaze, blizzard, blow, burst, convulsion.
How do you use "hurricane" in a sentence?
The victims of the hurricane have not tasted food for three days.
How do you pronounce "hurricane"?
Pronounced /ˈhʌɹɪkən/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Etymology tree Taíno *hurakābor. Spanish huracánbor. English hurricane Borrowed from Spanish huracán, ultimately from Taíno *hurakā.
Etymology 2
Coined by Jeret Peterson.