blizzard
BLIZ-urd
/ˈblɪzərd/
A severe snowstorm characterized by strong sustained winds and reduced visibility.
Specifically defined by wind speed (above 35 mph) and low visibility, not just heavy snow falling.
The story behind the word. First recorded in American dialect in the 1830s to mean a furious volley of gunshots or a sharp blow. In 1870, an Iowa newspaper used it to describe a blinding winter storm, and the usage spread rapidly across the English-speaking world.
Word relationships
- snowstorm: A snowstorm involves falling snow, but lacks the high sustained winds and zero visibility required for a blizzard.
Commonly confused with
- flurry: A flurry is a light, brief snowfall with little to no accumulation.
Collocations
- blizzard warning
- raging blizzard
- blizzard conditions
- blizzard of paperwork
Idioms & expressions
- blizzard of words
Example sentences
- "The blizzard dumped two feet of snow while freezing winds reduced visibility to near zero." Meteorological announcement
- "The bureaucrat was buried under a blizzard of paperwork before the tax deadline." Metaphorical usage in administration
Memory hook
BLIZZARD sounds like LIZARD freezing in a BLINDING SNOWSTORM. Violent wind-driven snowstorm.
When not to use
Do not call a peaceful heavy snowfall a blizzard if there are no high winds or blinding conditions.
Fun facts
- In 1972, the deadliest blizzard in history hit Iran, lasting seven days and burying 4,000 people under snow.
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