waterspout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waterspout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a tornado that forms over a body of water or a column of water that is drawn up into the atmosphere. Example: "The storm produced a waterspout that terrified the boaters on the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Sharks circle the boat, a waterspout hovers in the distance, and a boat on the distant horizon passes by unseeing and unseen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His show includes a poignant poem about Carl collecting two litres of dew to prepare a romantic dinner for two; Derek, whose naked waterspout he admires in the gym; and even a passing look at the love life of the Queen.

Independent

For short, descriptive entries on closely related phenomena not covered in this article, see waterspout, whirlwind, and fire storm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gargoyle, in architecture, waterspout designed to drain water from the parapet gutter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The vortex moved out onto the river, where it sucked up a waterspout and eventually spent itself.

The New Yorker

A leaf in an eddy of wind rises in a spiral, so does a waterspout.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Between the reliefs are decorative scroll panels, and a hundred monster-head waterspouts carry off the tropical rainwater.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The expanding fire from the ground forced Whitman to seek shelter behind the observation deck's thick walls and limited his targeting ability by confining him to shooting through waterspouts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wrote numerous papers on atmospheric electricity, waterspouts, and the boiling point at high elevations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among particularly interesting sections are those on pearl diving in the Persian Gulf, amber found in East Africa, Hindu burial customs, the land route to China, and navigation, with its various hazards, such as storms and waterspouts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In small-scale low-pressure systems, such as tornadoes, dust devils, and waterspouts, the radius of curvature of the airflow is relatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "waterspout", specify its location (e.g., "over the ocean", "on the lake") for clarity, as it distinguishes it from other phenomena like tornadoes on land.

Common error

Avoid using "waterspout" interchangeably with terms like "hurricane" or "tsunami". A "waterspout" is a localized weather phenomenon, a type of tornado that forms over water, whereas the others are much larger systems with different formation mechanisms.

Linguistic Context

The word "waterspout" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific meteorological phenomenon. As illustrated by Ludwig, it describes either a tornado occurring over water or a spout that drains water, such as from a roof.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waterspout" is a noun that commonly refers to a tornado over water or, less frequently, an architectural drainage feature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds common use in news, encyclopedias and to a lesser extent, scientific contexts. When using the term, ensure clarity by specifying the location or context. While generally neutral in tone, consider your audience when choosing between "waterspout" and more descriptive alternatives like "marine tornado" to communicate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

water tornado

Replaces "spout" with "tornado", emphasizing the vortex nature of the phenomenon.

marine tornado

Synonymous term, explicitly specifying the marine environment.

sea vortex

Focuses on the swirling, vortex-like aspect of the waterspout at sea.

cyclonic column of water

A descriptive phrase highlighting the cyclonic nature and composition of the phenomenon.

atmospheric vortex over water

A more scientific and technical description of a waterspout.

funnel cloud at sea

Emphasizes the visual appearance of a waterspout as a funnel cloud.

whirlwind at sea

Broad term that encompasses a rotating column of air and water.

rotating column of spray

Focuses on the visual of the spray being sucked up.

waterspout funnel

Combines two terms to describe the cloud and water column.

gutter spout

This refers to the architectural feature draining water from a roof, a less common meaning of waterspout.

FAQs

What is a "waterspout"?

A "waterspout" is essentially a tornado that occurs over a body of water. It is a rotating column of air and water mist. See also "marine tornado".

What causes a "waterspout" to form?

Waterspouts typically form under fair-weather conditions, often when the air is unstable and relatively warm over the water. They can also be associated with stronger weather systems like thunderstorms.

Are "waterspouts" dangerous?

Yes, "waterspouts" can be dangerous to boaters and people near the shoreline. Although weaker than most land tornadoes, they can still produce strong winds and rough seas. It's best to stay away from them.

What's the difference between a "tornado" and a "waterspout"?

The primary difference is location. A "tornado" occurs over land, while a "waterspout" forms over water. Some waterspouts are simply tornadoes that have moved over water, while others form specifically over water. A "marine tornado" is a waterspout.