billow - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

bi

llow

to expand in a blowing or puffing motion as if by the action of wind or some force withinto expand in a blowing or puffing motion as if by the action of wind or some force within

Examples

Synonyms

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bi

llow

Third Person

billows

Present Participle

billowing

Past Tense

billowed

Past Participle

billowed

1

to expand in a blowing or puffing motion as if by the action of wind or some force within

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the burning building.
The surfer watched the huge waves billow up ahead of him.
Listening to the howling wind, I could see the tan cotton curtains billowing wildly in the open window.

Synonyms:

2

to swell out by internal pressure, as with air or gas

The life jacket billowed up as the sailor pulled the inflation cord.
Her full skirt billowed around her as she spun in circles.
The chef carefully billowed the dough into a large bubbly sphere to proof.

Synonyms:

inflate balloon

3

to rise, roll, or surge like large ocean waves

The waves billowed toward the shore.
Mist billowed over the mountains in the early morning.
Clouds billowed like a churning sea.
The crowd billowed forward after the gates opened.
Thick fog billowed around the streetlights.

Synonyms:

4

to move or push forward with great difficulty, often in a mass

The crowd billowed through the narrow alley.
Refugees billowed into the border town.
Smoke billowed sluggishly against the strong wind.
The exhausted hikers billowed up the steep path.
The soldiers billowed forward through the mud.