hurricane

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hurricane" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large storm with strong winds and heavy rains. For example, "The hurricane caused extensive flooding and damage to many homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By worrying coincidence, the day that we've arrived in Grenada is officially the start of the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

The Guardian - Travel

Essentially, like Michael Fish and the hurricane, I underestimated the strength of the 1970s revival we are experiencing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When I speak my mind and receive a howling hurricane of abuse in return, it doesn't feel like a plea for my attention – it feels like a demand for my silence.

The Guardian

Occupy Sandy's mutual aid connected the hurricane to a critique of capitalism for failing to provide infrastructures adequate to the needs of an urban population in a changing climate.

The Guardian - Opinion

If so, the one-man hurricane that is Kevin Pietersen made it a particularly blustery one after any hope of a return to the England team was effectively ended by his former captain, citing a "massive trust issue" between the batsman, his erstwhile team-mates and the board.

The Guardian - Sport

Motion, who worked as Carter's literary editor at the publishing house Chatto and Windus, recalls seeing the writer arrive at their London offices, looking "as if she had been blown in by a hurricane".

The Guardian - Books

If the hurricane had arrived at night, as they so often do, the fatalities would have been far higher.

The Guardian - Travel

We've got to get a hurricane to move up in our country and just saturate everything to replenish the aquifer," he said.

The Guardian

Occupy Sandy, a relief effort organised by Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters to assist the victims of the hurricane, was covered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where Occupy Sandy has been an efficient prosthesis for a community crippled more by capitalism than by a hurricane, UK Uncut has become the strong arm of a state too weak to enforce its own laws.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "hurricane", always specify its location (e.g., "Hurricane Katrina", "Hurricane Sandy") or the affected region to provide clear context.

Common error

Avoid using the term "hurricane" loosely for any strong storm. A "hurricane" is specifically a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) or higher. Use more general terms like "storm" or "cyclone" for other weather events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hurricane" is as a noun, referring to a specific type of intense tropical cyclone. Ludwig AI confirms that "hurricane" can be used to describe a large storm with strong winds and heavy rains. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from weather reporting to metaphorical descriptions of intense situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Sport

7%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hurricane" is a commonly used noun referring to a severe tropical cyclone characterized by high winds and heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing such storms, as seen in the numerous examples provided. These examples highlight its prevalence in news, travel, and opinion pieces, signifying its widespread relevance. While grammatically straightforward, understanding the contexts and appropriate use of "hurricane", especially concerning storm categories and accurate naming, is essential for clear and effective communication. Additionally, exploring related terms like "tropical cyclone" or "severe storm" can enhance one's vocabulary and precision in describing weather events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tropical cyclone

Scientific term for the same phenomenon, emphasizing the geographic origin.

severe storm

Broader category of intense weather events, encompassing "hurricane" but lacking its specific characteristics.

cyclonic storm

Focuses on the cyclonic nature of the storm, rather than its intensity or location.

tempest

A literary or dramatic term for a violent storm, carrying a sense of chaos and upheaval.

natural disaster

Highlights the destructive potential of a "hurricane" in terms of large-scale devastation.

storm of the century

Emphasizes the rare and exceptional nature of particularly devastating hurricanes.

turbulent period

Metaphorically applies the intensity of a "hurricane" to a period of unrest or change.

maelstrom

A situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil, similar to the chaotic nature of a "hurricane".

ferocious gale

Highlights the high winds associated with a "hurricane", focusing on their intensity.

violent upheaval

Broader term capturing the disruptive force of a "hurricane", applicable to various chaotic scenarios.

FAQs

How is a "hurricane" different from a typhoon or cyclone?

A "hurricane", typhoon, and cyclone are all the same type of storm: a tropical cyclone. The only difference is where they occur. "Hurricanes" occur in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific; typhoons in the Northwest Pacific; and cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

What are some other words to describe a hurricane's impact?

Instead of just saying "the hurricane caused damage", you can use stronger verbs and phrases like "devastated", "inundated", "ravaged", or "wreaked havoc" to describe the "destructive force" of the storm.

How to properly reference the name of a specific hurricane?

Use the name assigned by meteorological agencies, for example, "Hurricane Katrina" or "Hurricane Sandy". Capitalize "Hurricane" as part of the proper name. For more common hurricane names, you can search on internet.

What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 or higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.