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stormy

/ˈstɔː.mi/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Used to describe weather with strong wind, rain, thunder, or rough seas. It can also describe a time or situation with trouble, anger, or conflict.

  • It was a stormy night.
  • They had a stormy meeting.
  • The relationship was stormy and unhappy.

Adinary Nuance

Stormy is stronger and less neutral than words like "windy" or "rainy". It suggests rough, unsettled weather, or a relationship with frequent arguments. For people or meetings, it often means emotional conflict, not just a bad mood.

In other languages

Vietnamese
giông bão
Spanish
tormentoso
Chinese
暴风雨的
Japanese
荒れた
Korean
폭풍우의

Etymology

Stormy comes from storm, which is from Old English and related Germanic words. The adjective has been used in English since the Middle English period.

Common phrases

stormy weathera stormy relationshipa stormy seastormy debate

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is stormy only used for weather?
No. It also describes difficult relationships, meetings, or debates.
Is stormy a formal word?
It is common in both spoken and written English. It sounds natural in news and descriptions.
What is the difference between stormy and windy?
Windy only means there is a lot of wind. Stormy suggests stronger, rougher weather, often with rain or thunder.
Can I say a stormy person?
Yes, if the person is often angry or hard to deal with. It is less common than saying a stormy relationship.