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Glite Dictionary
high wind

high wind

29 1.6
A very strong wind that can blow down trees and cause damage
  • noun
  • /haɪ wɪnd/
translation icon : viento fuerte
  • Residents in the area should expect high winds and rough seas.
  • high wind speed
  • high wind conditions
  • high winds drove the rain

And as we were going over it, when turn, turn the planes around, anyone going over to France, there's high winds, right?

Examples

  • High winds are blowing through the canyons our way.

    Ghost Dad (1990)

  • Residents in the area should expect high winds and rough seas this weekend.

  • A high wind warning is in effect.

    Little Orphans (2020)

  • Even in summer, the high winds can be a problem, and rain is common.

    Academic text (2006)

  • I wonder whether there have been high winds during my absence.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The sky changed, turned a strange grayish-green, and a high wind began to blow, buffeting her forward.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Major freeways are shut down due to high winds and torrential rains across the region.

    The Roses (2025)

  • A massive fire in Ogden Marsh continues to rage, and high winds are preventing fire teams from containing the deadly blaze.

    The Crazies (2010)

  • The National Weather Service has issued a warning due to high winds expected to arrive later today.

  • The weather bureau has also warned of high winds and flash flooding in low-lying areas.

Synonyms

gale
vshigh wind
24 5.8

A very strong wind that can blow down trees

is a general term not tied to numeric speed categories
strong wind
vshigh wind
23 1.0

A wind that blows very hard and can move things

also highlights great speed rather than force alone
wild wind
vshigh wind
3.4

A very strong wind that blows hard

describes great force without implying lack of control
strong gale
vshigh wind
  • Specialized
6.2

A very strong wind that can topple trees and damage buildings

is a broader term for very powerful air movement

Antonyms

calm
735 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

gentle breeze
  • Specialized
4 2.2

A light wind that moves leaves and cools the air

How Strong

storm
∞ 1.0
gale
24 5.8
high wind
29 1.6
strong wind
23 1.0
wind
∞ 1.0
to breeze
1 1.0

Surface Forms

high wind singular
high winds plural

Morphology

high + wind

The meaning 'a very strong wind' is directly and compositionally derived from 'high' (above normal degree/intensity) modifying 'wind' (air movement). This simple adjective + noun pattern is common in English and parallels phrases in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun high wind shows a simple image: high and wind together mean air so strong it seems to lift things. Imagine branches being lifted and tall trees bending, and you can see why high wind means 'a very strong wind'.