Billows Meaning in English
word · lemma: billow
ˈbɪɫoʊz
BIL-ohz
bˈɪləʊz
BIL-ohz
Definition
To swell outward or move in waves, like smoke, fabric, or clouds when blown by wind. It can also describe something rising, spreading, or rolling in a wave-like motion.
Usage & Nuances
Often describes dramatic movement by wind: 'smoke billows', 'curtains billow'. More poetic or literary than everyday speech. Not interchangeable with 'waves' (as a noun), but both describe rolling motion. Usually intransitive verb, rarely as a noun.
Spanish: ondula - se infla (como una ola o nube)Portuguese (BR): ondula - se infla (como uma onda ou nuvem)Portuguese (PT): ondula - infla-se (como uma onda ou nuvem)Chinese (Simplified): 翻腾 - 鼓起 (如波浪或云)Chinese (Traditional): 翻騰 - 鼓起 (如波浪或雲)Hindi: लहराना - फूला हुआ (जैसे लहर या बादल)Arabic: يتضخم - يتموج (مثل موجة أو سحابة)Bengali: ফুঁয়ে উঠা - ঢেউ খেলানোRussian: вздыматься - клубитьсяJapanese: 大きくうねる - 膨らむVietnamese: cuộn lên - phồng lênKorean: 부풀다 - 물결치다Turkish: kabarmak - dalgalanmakUrdu: پھولنا - اُٹھنا (موج کی صورت)Indonesian: mengembang - bergelombang
Example Sentences
The smoke billows into the sky.
basic
Her skirt billows in the wind.
basic
The flag billows above the building.
basic
Clouds billowed across the sunset, painting the sky with color.
natural
The curtains billowed when the windows were thrown open.
natural
Smoke billowed out of the chimney after the fire was lit.
natural