A hot, dry wind that blows from the Sahara Desert across the Mediterranean to southern Europe, often carrying dust and sand. The wind can cause oppressive weather conditions and reduced visibility.
From Arabic sharq, meaning 'east,' referring to the eastern direction from which this wind blows relative to North Africa. The word passed through Italian scirocco, then into French and English by the 17th century. The Arabic origin reflects the wind's path from the eastern Sahara toward the Mediterranean.
Sirocco winds can carry Saharan sand all the way to the Amazon rainforest, fertilizing it with nutrients! What medieval Arabs named for its eastern direction has become a global weather phenomenon that connects Africa and South America across the Atlantic.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.