A gust is a sudden, strong burst of wind. It can make doors slam, trees sway, or rain blow sideways.
From Old Norse “gustr,” meaning “a cold blast of wind,” related to a verb meaning “to gush.” It entered English through contact with Scandinavian languages.
Gust and gush are close cousins—both about sudden, forceful movement, just with different materials (air versus water). A gust is like the atmosphere briefly turning into a rushing wave.
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