What does gustiness mean?
Gustiness is a noun meaning the quality of being gusty, or marked by sudden, strong bursts of wind. It describes not simply the presence of wind, but its restless, uneven character: gustiness may rise as a storm approaches or as wind changes direction and strength. The word is often used in weather reporting, where it conveys a sense of difficult, hazardous, or unpredictable conditions, and in literary descriptions that emphasize the physical force or movement of the air. “The gustiness of the wind” is its most natural construction, while related forms such as “gusty” serve as adjectives. Gustiness is more precise than a general reference to wind, because it specifically highlights brief, forceful movements rather than a steady breeze. It is also useful in figurative contexts involving abrupt changes, turbulence, or an agitated atmosphere.
nounThe quality of being gusty, especially of wind characterized by sudden, strong bursts or frequent changes in strength.
- The quality or condition of being gusty, especially of wind marked by sudden, strong bursts.
"The gustiness of the evening wind made it difficult to keep the umbrella steady."
"The gustiness of the evening wind made it difficult to keep the umbrella steady."
"Meteorologists reported increasing gustiness as the storm approached."
Rare; gustiness is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The report recorded changes in gustinesses across the region."
Gustiness is the word for what the wind does when it refuses to settle down: it arrives in sudden, forceful bursts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gustiness
Gustiness is formed in English from “gust” and the noun-forming suffix “-iness,” which turns an adjective into a noun expressing a quality or condition. “Gust” comes from Old Norse “gustr,” meaning a sudden blast of wind. The related English words “gusty,” “gusting,” and “gustily” continue the same Germanic and English word family.
How gustiness is actually used
Usually formal or descriptive, and especially common in weather reports, journalism, and literary descriptions of wind.
Easily confused with gustiness
Gustiness is the noun naming the quality of being windy in sudden bursts, while gusty is the adjective describing something characterized by such bursts.