WordGarden.iobillow
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɪləʊ/
US
- /ˈbɪloʊ/
Meanings
Verb
to swell outward or move in large soft waves
Noun
a large swelling wave or rolling mass
Beyond the definition
Imagine a ship's sails catching the wind—they don't just move; they billow, swelling outward in graceful curves. That's the essence of this word. To billow means to swell or surge outward, often describing something soft or light like clouds, curtains, or smoke. It suggests a movement that is both gentle and forceful, full and rounded. You might see storm clouds billow ominously before a downpour, or watch laundry billow on a clothesline in a strong breeze.
The word evokes images of fullness and expansion—think of smoke billowing from a campfire rising into the night sky, or the billowing skirts of a dancer twirling across the stage. It's not just about movement; it's about how something moves—with a rounded, expanding grace.
The word "billow" paints a picture of swelling, bulging, and undulating movement—most often associated with things that aren't rigidly fixed in shape. It can describe clouds, smoke, fabric, water, and even crowds as they expand and move in broad, rolling masses. Think of thick smoke rising from a chimney: it doesn't just go up; it billows up, expanding and curling as it rises.
You might say, "The curtains billowed in the breeze," suggesting they were full and flowing, or "Dark clouds billowed across the horizon," hinting at an approaching storm. It's a visually rich word that implies both movement and volume. While often used to describe natural phenomena like clouds, smoke, or sails, it can also be applied figuratively.
For example, you might say, "Her dress billowed around her as she walked," creating a sense of dramatic flair. Or, in a more metaphorical sense, "A wave of emotion billowed through the crowd," suggesting a sudden and overwhelming surge of feeling.
The key to understanding "billow" is its association with soft materials or substances that expand and move in a rounded, flowing way. It's not a sharp, jerky movement; it's a broad, expansive swell. So next time you see something growing larger with rolling momentum and graceful force, remember the word "billow" to capture that image precisely.
Examples
- 1
Sailing
The sail billowed as the boat caught the wind.
- 2
Smoke
Black smoke billowed out of the factory after the explosion.
- Patternbillow out of + place/source
come out in large moving clouds
- 3
Dust
Dust billowed up from the dry road behind the truck.
- Patternbillow up from + place/source
rise and spread in the air
- 4
Curtains
The curtains billowed inward every time the window was open.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Clothing
Her long skirt billowed around her as she turned.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- billownounverb
Forms
- billowing-ing formverbnoun
- billowspluralnounverb
- billowedpast tenseverbnoun