gust

noun (1)

Save Word

\ ˈgəst

Definition of gust

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 obsolete

a : the sensation of taste

b : inclination, liking

2 : keen delight

gust

noun (2)

Definition of gust (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a sudden brief rush of wind

2 : a sudden outburst : surge a gust of emotion

gust

verb

gusted; gusting; gusts

Definition of gust (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to blow in gusts winds gusting up to 40 mph

Other Words from gust Synonyms Gust Beyond Wind More Example Sentences Learn More About gust

Other Words from gust

Noun (2)

gustily \ ˈgə-stə-lē

\ adverb

gustiness \ ˈgə-stē-nəs

\ noun

gusty \ ˈgə-stē

\ adjective

Gust Beyond Wind

You're no doubt familiar with the simple gust that means "a brief burst of wind." At least a century and a half before that word first appeared in print in the late 16th century, however, a differently derived homograph came on the scene. The windy gust is probably derived from an Old Norse word gustr, whereas our older featured word (which is now considerably rarer than its look-alike) comes to us through Middle English from gustus, the Latin word for "taste." Gustus gave English another word as well. Gusto (which now usually means "zest" but can also mean "an individual or specific taste") comes to us from gustus by way of Italian.