Vocabulary Spotlight
Billow
Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
Definition: (Verb) To swell or rise in waves or surges; (Noun) a large undulating mass, such as a cloud, smoke, or steam.
“The sails billowed in the wind as the ship made its way across the sea.”
Pronunciation
[bil-oh]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Surge
Roll
Wave
Expand
Antonyms
Contract
Deflate
Compress
Settle
Related Words
Puff
Wavelet
Word Origin
“Billow” is derived from the Old Norse word “bylgja,” meaning “a wave or surge.” It entered Middle English through Old English and retains its meaning related to movement, swelling, or undulation.
Word Family
Noun: Billowing – The act of swelling or surging outward.
Related Noun: Wave – A moving swell on a surface, especially water.
Mnemonics
Think of “Billow” as “Big + Pillow” — like a large pillow swelling or puffing up when filled with air.
Industry-specific Usage
Marine
In nautical terms, “billow” often describes the movement of sails swelling with wind or waves rising on the sea.
Environmental Science
“Billowing smoke” often refers to large, undulating plumes of smoke from wildfires, factories, or other sources.
Clothing and Fashion
Billowing fabrics are commonly mentioned in fashion to describe loose garments moving or swelling with motion.
In Context
To “billow” is to rise, move, or swell in a smooth, flowing motion. It evokes images of waves, smoke, and even fabric responding to wind or motion, capturing the essence of flowing or undulating movement.