windblown
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɪndbləʊn/
US
- /ˈwɪndˌbloʊn/adjective
Description
- blown by the wind
- messy from strong air
- shaped by steady gusts
- scattered in the air
Picture yourself walking along a beach on a rough day, with your hair pushed back and your clothes pulled by the air. That is the feeling this word carries. It describes something that has been blown, bent, tossed around, or made messy by the wind. A windblown tree may lean in one direction after years of strong weather, and a windblown pile of leaves may be spread across a road.
The word is also common for a person's appearance. Someone can look windblown after a walk outside, with hair out of place and a fresh, outdoorsy look. In stories, it often helps paint a scene that feels open, rough, and close to nature.
"Windblown" describes something that has been affected by the wind in a clear, visible way. Sometimes it means pushed or carried by the wind, as with windblown sand, dust, or leaves. Sometimes it means shaped or bent by long exposure to strong air, as with trees on a hill or plants growing near the sea. In many cases, it simply means messy or tousled because of a windy day.
The word is often used for natural scenes. You might read about a windblown beach, a windblown plain, or a windblown garden after a storm. In these examples, the idea is not just that wind is present, but that it has changed how things look. It can also describe buildings or places that feel very open to the weather, especially in coastal or high-country settings.
It is also very common for people and clothing. A person with windblown hair usually looks as if they have just come in from outside. A coat, scarf, or dress can also be described this way when it is being whipped about by strong air. In these uses, the word often suggests movement, freshness, and a slightly rough, natural look.
In a broader descriptive style, the word can add mood to a scene. It may suggest openness, exposure, wild weather, or life close to nature. That said, its main meaning stays concrete: something has been blown, shaped, or made untidy by the wind.
Examples
- 1
Beach appearance
She came in from the beach with windblown hair and sand on her shoes.
- 2
Landscape
A few windblown trees stood alone at the top of the hill.
- 3
Travel appearance
By the end of the ferry ride, we all looked cold and windblown.
- 4
Coastal atmosphere
The hotel had a quiet, windblown charm that made the coast feel wild.
Forms and spellings
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Main spelling
- windblownadjective