Etymology Map
Back to all words

Squall

2 stages from Swedish to English.

Today it means a sudden violent gust of wind or storm; a loud cry

Where does the word "squall" come from? It comes from Swedish skvala, adopted directly into English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
skvala
Swedish · medieval
"to gush, to cry out"
an imitative word for water gushing or pouring out noisily
2
Stage 2 of 2
squall
English · 1630s
"to scream; later a sudden storm"
first a verb for crying out loudly, as a baby does; later, sailors applied it to a sudden, violent gust of wind and rain
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Squall’s story begins in Swedish: skvala meant “to gush, to cry out.” An imitative word for water gushing or pouring out noisily. It reached English by 1630s as squall. First a verb for crying out loudly, as a baby does; later, sailors applied it to a sudden, violent gust of wind and rain. Today, squall means a sudden violent gust of wind or storm; a loud cry.