What does flurry mean?
A flurry is a short, sudden burst of activity, excitement, or commotion — the word captures something brief and scattered rather than prolonged or organized. It is most commonly seen in phrases like 'a flurry of activity', 'a flurry of excitement', or 'a flurry of emails', where it signals a quick surge of things happening at once. In weather reporting, a flurry refers to a brief spell of light snow, typically lighter and shorter than a snow shower. As a verb, 'flurry' means to hurry in an agitated way, or to throw someone into such a state — hence the adjective 'flurried', describing someone flustered. The word dates from around the turn of the eighteenth century and is thought to be imitative in origin, echoing the quick rustling motion it names. Useful for writers and speakers alike, it conveys urgency and liveliness without implying disorder of any great scale, making it ideal for describing everything from market trading to falling snow.
A brief, light fall of snow accompanied by wind, or more generally a short, sudden burst of activity, excitement, or commotion.
"Reporters descended on the courthouse in a flurry after the verdict was read."
To move or act in a hurried, agitated manner; to cause someone to become flustered or rushed.
"She flurried about the kitchen preparing a hasty breakfast."
Verb use is less common than the noun today and often appears in the passive form 'flurried'.
The plural is standard for both meanings, though especially idiomatic in the meteorological sense ('light snow flurries').
"Forecasters expect occasional flurries throughout the weekend."
'Flurry' likely began life as an imitation of the very commotion it describes — a word that sounds like a quick scatter of movement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flurry
'Flurry' appeared in English around the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century. Its origin is generally considered uncertain but likely imitative — coined to echo the sound of quick, scattered movement. It first denoted a sudden squall or gust of wind and light snow, and the broader sense of a commotion or burst of activity developed from that. No well-established cognates in other languages exist, as the word appears to be an English formation rather than a borrowing.
Related word forms
How flurry is actually used
Most often used with 'of' to describe short-lived bursts of things — activity, excitement, papers, shots, snow. The meteorological sense is usually plural ('snow flurries') and denotes lighter, briefer fall than a snow shower. The tone is generally neutral-to-slightly-urgent; it suggests brief intensity rather than sustained chaos.
Easily confused with flurry
A slurry is a thin, watery mixture of insoluble matter (such as cement or manure), whereas a flurry is a brief burst of activity or light snowfall.