blizzard
Americannoun
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Meteorology.
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a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.
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a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.
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an inordinately large amount all at one time.
a blizzard of Christmas cards.
verb (used without object)
noun
Other Word Forms
- blizzardly adjective
- blizzardy adjective
Etymology
Origin of blizzard
An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze 1, bluster, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a powerful blizzard blankets the East Coast in snow, another force of nature is preparing to take over the chilly streets of Manhattan.
From Los Angeles Times
The officers were targeted when they responded to a mass gathering of snowball hurlers after Monday’s blizzard subsided.
"Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect," he said.
From BBC
In Duane’s case, he was stuck between a blizzard and a dragon monster.
From Literature
“Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
