The word 'billow' can be used as both a noun and a verb to describe large, swelling masses, often of smoke, clouds, or fabric. Understanding its usage is key to effectively incorporating it into your writing.
What Does 'Billow' Mean in Context?
When used as a verb, 'billow' describes something that swells or is filled with air and ripples outwards, like sails in the wind or smoke rising from a fire. As a noun, 'billow' refers to a large wave or a great mass of something that surges or rolls, such as smoke or clouds.
Practical Examples of 'Billow' in Sentences
Here are several examples demonstrating how 'billow' and 'billows' are used in various contexts, illustrating its versatility and evocative power:
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As a mass (noun):
- "Billows of smoke poured out of the burning building." This vividly portrays the large, rolling masses of smoke.
- "Photos of the fire show a billow of smoke coming from one side of the building." Here, 'billow' refers to a singular, large mass.
- "Along the horizon, the road meets a billow of clouds, then fades to a white nothingness." This describes a large, swelling cloud formation.
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As an action (verb):
- "Early on, fake tear gas billows through the flaps of the tent." This illustrates the gas expanding and rolling through an opening.
These examples highlight how 'billow' effectively conveys a sense of large, fluid movement or substantial mass, making it a powerful descriptive word in English.
