Phrase guide

funnel cloud

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A tapering, rapidly rotating cloud descending from a larger storm cloud, indicating the presence of an intense vortex, which potentially becomes a tornado if it reaches the ground.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: climatology, meteorology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • When we saw the funnel cloud, we headed for the basement.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cumulonimbus tuba

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: suppilopilvi — tapering cloud
  • Italian: nube ad imbuto — tapering cloud
  • Korean: 깔때기구름 (kkalttaegigureum) — tapering cloud
  • Thai: เมฆงวง (mek nguang) — tapering cloud