gusty

Gusty is an English adjective used to describe wind that comes in sudden, brief bursts. It is most often applied to weather conditions, in phrases such as gusty winds or gusty showers, where the wind speed fluctuates rapidly.

Origin and formation: Gusty is derived from the noun gust, with the suffix -y that forms adjectives meaning “characterized by” or “having the quality of.” The noun gust refers to a sudden, short increase in wind speed, and the adjective broadens that sense to the atmosphere or environment.

Usage: Beyond weather reporting, gusty can be used in descriptive writing to convey volatility or energy in a scene. It is typically applied to wind rather than people, and metaphorical uses are relatively uncommon. It is similar in meaning to blustery but may imply more abrupt, stronger gusts.

Related terms: Related terms include gust, gusts, gusting, windy, and blustery. Antonyms include calm and still. In meteorology, gusts are short-lived spikes in wind speed, often measured as part of an overall wind description.