WordGarden.iotempest
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɛmpəst/
US
- /ˈtɛmpəst/
Meanings
Noun
a violent windstorm
a violent outburst of emotion, conflict, or activity
Beyond the definition
A tempest is not just any storm; it is a fierce, violent one, the kind that brings howling winds, crashing waves, and heavy rain. The word often appears in writing that wants to sound vivid or dramatic. It can describe real weather, especially at sea, but it is also used for emotional, social, or political trouble. You might read about a tempest in the ocean, or a tempest of anger after a shocking event.
A tempest refers to a violent storm, often with strong winds, heavy rain, and rough seas. While we use "storm" for ordinary weather, "tempest" suggests something more dramatic, dangerous, and destructive. It often brings to mind the sort of weather that sailors once feared most, when a ship could be thrown off course or badly damaged.
The word comes from the Latin tempestas, which was linked to time, season, and weather, and it later came to mean a violent disturbance in the air. Over time, English also gave it a figurative use. Because of that, a tempest can be more than bad weather; it can also mean a burst of public anger, fierce argument, or sudden turmoil.
The word appears often in older literature and poetic writing because it carries strong imagery. Shakespeare's The Tempest is a famous example, and the title alone shows how much force and drama the word can hold. In modern English, it is less common in daily speech than "storm," but it still works well when you want to suggest violent weather or a sudden wave of chaos that shakes people or events.
Examples
- 1
Storm
A sudden tempest drove the small boats back to shore.
- 2
Public criticism
The mayor's comments sparked a tempest of criticism in the local press.
- 3
Minor controversy
Everyone was upset about the typo, but it seemed like a tempest in a teapot to me.
- Phrasetempest in a teapot
a lot of anger about something unimportant
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- raging tempest
- tempest at sea
- weather the tempest
Word family
- tempestuous
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tempestnoun
Forms
- tempestspluralnoun