storm
gb/stˈɔɹm/ us/stˈɔɹm/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
Severe weather with wind and rain
A time when the weather is very bad, with strong wind and rain or snow.
Usage pattern:
a [type] storm
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'storm' with 'rain'. A storm usually includes strong winds and can have rain, snow, or other severe weather.
Synonyms
tempest (More literary or dramatic in tone; less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
calm (Refers to peaceful weather conditions, the opposite of a storm.)
Collocations
thunder storm
|snow storm
|tropical storm
|severe storm
|storm warning
Themes
weather
|nature
|safety
Examples
- The storm knocked out power to thousands of homes.
- A tropical storm is expected to reach the coast tonight.
- We stayed indoors all day because of the storm.
- The fishing boats returned early to avoid the approaching storm.
Learner examples
- The storm is very strong today.
- A big storm came last night.
- We cannot go outside because of the storm.
- The storm made many trees fall.
Noun
B2
event
2
Serious trouble or uproar
A time when many people are upset or angry about something.
Usage pattern:
a storm of [emotion/criticism]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'storm' literally when they mean a figurative conflict; context is important to show it's not about weather.
Synonyms
uproar (Focuses more on noise and disorder; not always as intense as 'storm' in this figurative sense.)
Antonyms
peace (Refers to a calm situation without conflict or disturbance.)
Collocations
storm of protest
|political storm
|media storm
|storm of criticism
Themes
emotions
|society
|conflict
|politics
Examples
- The decision caused a storm of protest from the community.
- A media storm followed the celebrity's controversial statement.
- His resignation sparked a political storm in parliament.
Learner examples
- The news made a storm of protest.
- There was a media storm after the game.
- The plan caused a storm among the workers.
Verb
B2
action
3
Attack or rush forward suddenly
To go quickly and with force into a place or at someone.
Usage pattern:
storm into [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'storm' with 'run'; 'storm' suggests force, anger, or attack, not just speed.
Synonyms
charge (Often used for military attacks; can also mean moving quickly toward something.)
Antonyms
retreat (Means to move back or away from something, opposite of rushing forward.)
Collocations
storm into the room
|storm out of the meeting
|storm the castle
Themes
movement
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Examples
- The soldiers stormed the enemy's position at dawn.
- She stormed into the office, demanding answers.
- Protesters stormed the gates of the compound.
Learner examples
- He stormed into the room.
- The army stormed the city.
- She stormed out of the house.
Verb
B1
action
4
Leave in anger
To go away from a place quickly because you are angry.
Usage pattern:
storm out of [place]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'storm out' with simply 'leave'; 'storm out' always involves visible anger and sudden movement.
Synonyms
march out (Focuses on firm, deliberate movement; less emotional than 'storm out'.)
Antonyms
stay calmly (Remaining in place without showing anger is the opposite action.)
Collocations
storm out of the meeting
|storm off angrily
Themes
emotions
|movement
|daily_life
Examples
- He stormed out of the meeting after being insulted.
- She stormed off without saying goodbye.
- Angry at the decision, they stormed out of the negotiations.
Learner examples
- She stormed out of the room.
- He stormed off after the fight.
- They stormed out when they heard the news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
storm
IPA
GB/stˈɔɹm/
US/stˈɔɹm/
Syllables & stress
storm (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (storm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: storm
- Plural: storms
Verb
- Base: storm
- 3rd Person Singular: storms
- Present Participle: storming
- Past: stormed
Word family
Forms
storms
noun
storming
verb
stormed
verb
Core family
stormy
adjective B1
Related words
Advanced or less common
stormily
adverb
Expressions
storm out of
1/stˈɔɹm ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
Leave quickly in anger
To leave a place fast because you are angry.
Examples
- She stormed out of the classroom after the teacher's comment.
- He stormed out of the house without saying a word.
take by storm
1/tˈeɪk bˈaɪ stˈɔɹm/
idiom
Achieve sudden success or popularity
To become very successful or liked very fast in a place.
Examples
- The young singer took the music world by storm.
- Her new book has taken Europe by storm.
a storm is brewing
1/ə stˈɔɹm ˈɪz bɹˈuɪŋ/
idiom
serious conflict or trouble coming
Used to say that a big problem or conflict is starting and will probably become clear soon.
Examples
- A storm is brewing in the party over the new policy.
- You could feel that a storm was brewing between the two families.
- When I saw their faces, I knew a storm was brewing.
a storm is brewing
2/ə stˈɔɹm ˈɪz bɹˈuɪŋ/
idiom
Trouble is about to start soon
Something bad or difficult will happen soon.
Examples
- You can feel that a storm is brewing between the two leaders.
- Dark clouds gathered outside, and in politics, a different kind of storm was brewing.
storm in a teacup
1/stˈɔɹm ˈɪn ə tˈikˌʌp/
idiom
Making too much fuss over little things
When people make a small problem seem very big.
Examples
- The argument was just a storm in a teacup; they made up the next day.
- Their argument was just a storm in a teacup; it was over in minutes.
- It’s only a minor issue—don’t make it into a storm in a teacup.
- The media turned it into a huge scandal, but it was really a storm in a teacup.
weather the storm
1/wˈɛðɚ ðə stˈɔɹm/
idiom
Survive a tough situation
To get through a very hard or dangerous time without serious harm.
Examples
- The company was able to weather the storm during the financial crisis.
- The company managed to weather the storm during the recession.
- They weathered the storm and came out stronger.
- They weathered the storm of public criticism and kept going.