storm
storm — noun
1. a time when the weather turns violent, with extremely strong winds and usually h
a time when the weather turns violent, with extremely strong winds and usually heavy rain, thunder, lightning, snow, or hail
A violent storm hit the coast and knocked down several trees near the harbor.
storm hit [area] — common pattern for weather events
The weather report warned a storm was coming, so Liang put sandbags by the door.
During the storm, the children hid under their blankets whenever the thunder roared.
After the storm passed, the family found their garden covered in fallen branches.
- tempest
more formal and literary; often used in poetry or historical writing
- gale
specifically a very strong wind, not necessarily with rain or snow
- hurricane
a tropical storm with winds over 74 mph, specific to Atlantic and Eastern Pacific regions
- typhoon
same as hurricane but in the Northwest Pacific region
用法筆記
The word storm can also appear as a suffix (-storm) to name specific types of violent weather, such as thunderstorm, snowstorm, sandstorm, hailstorm, or duststorm.
常見錯誤
2. a situation where many people express strong anger or disagreement about somethi
a situation where many people express strong anger or disagreement about something that has been said or done
The mayor's plan to close the library caused a storm of protest from local residents.
a storm of protest
A political storm erupted after the senator's old comments were shared online.
political storm
The announcement stirred up such a storm of criticism that the company had to apologize.
When the school raised tuition, a storm of angry parents showed up at the meeting.
- uproar
similar intensity but focuses on noise and confusion rather than directed anger
- outcry
a strong expression of public disapproval, less metaphorical
- backlash
a negative reaction, often delayed, against a change or policy
- controversy
a public disagreement that may be less emotional and more focused on debate
- calm
a lack of strong reaction or public discussion
- acceptance
when people agree with or tolerate a decision without protest
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + an abstract noun expressing the type of reaction (e.g., protest, criticism, outrage, controversy). Subject of the reaction is almost always a group or the public, not a single person.
常見錯誤
3. a situation in which someone or something becomes extremely popular or successfu
a situation in which someone or something becomes extremely popular or successful very quickly, used most often in the phrase 'take by storm'
The young dancer took the competition by storm with her amazing performance.
take [something] by storm
Indra's new food delivery app took the city by storm in just two months.
The Korean drama took audiences around the world by storm and became a huge hit.
That little café took the neighborhood by storm with its unique bubble tea recipe.
用法筆記
Rarely used outside the fixed expression 'take (someone/something) by storm'. The 'by storm' part is non-negotiable — you cannot say 'take a storm' or 'a storm of success' in this sense. The guide word from some sources labels this 'ATTACK', but the actual meaning is about achieving great popularity, not attacking.
常見錯誤
storm — verb
1. to attack and enter a place suddenly and in large numbers, especially in order t
to attack and enter a place suddenly and in large numbers, especially in order to take control of it
Soldiers stormed the rebel base at dawn and freed the captured journalists.
storm + [place] — military attack
Fans stormed the stage when the singer invited everyone to dance with her.
Police stormed the warehouse after receiving a tip about the stolen goods.
Hundreds of protesters stormed the city hall, demanding that the mayor step down.
- retreat
to move away from a place or enemy instead of attacking
文法句型
storm + [place/building]
用法筆記
The subject is usually a group acting with a common purpose (soldiers, police, fans, protesters). The object is typically a building, structure, or stage — a physical place that can be entered. Non-military uses (fans storming a stage) are common in everyday contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to go or come into a place noisily and with visible anger, or to say something i
to go or come into a place noisily and with visible anger, or to say something in a furious voice
When her brother broke her tablet, Shanti stormed out of the room in tears.
storm out of [place]
The coach stormed onto the field to argue with the referee about the final call.
storm onto [place]
Lucía stormed into the kitchen and shouted, "Who ate my lunch?"
After the argument, Caleb stormed off and did not return until dinner.
- stomp
to walk with heavy steps, showing anger but often less dramatic than storming
- march
to walk in a determined way; can show anger but is less specific
- fume
to show anger, but not necessarily involving movement from one place to another
- rage
to express anger very strongly, often used of a person's emotional state rather than movement
文法句型
storm + adverb/preposition (out/off/into/onto)
用法筆記
Always followed by a preposition or adverb showing direction of movement (out, off, into, onto, through). The action must be visible and energetic — quietly walking away in anger is not 'storming'. Can also be used as a verb of speech when the speaker is angry: "I've had enough!" she stormed.
常見錯誤
3. of wind, rain, snow, or hail, to blow or fall with great force and violence
of wind, rain, snow, or hail, to blow or fall with great force and violence
It stormed all night, and by morning the roads were covered with thick snow.
impersonal: it storms
Hail stormed down on the village, damaging cars and breaking windows.
storm down — describing precipitation falling with force
Rain stormed against the windows so loudly that Zola could not fall asleep.
The wind stormed through the valley, knocking over fences and garden sheds.
文法句型
it storms
storm + preposition (down/against/through)
用法筆記
Can be used impersonally ('it stormed') to describe general violent weather, or with a specific subject like rain, hail, or wind followed by a preposition showing direction. This sense is less common in everyday speech than the noun sense — most speakers prefer 'there was a storm' or 'the wind was very strong'.