billow

• Nom désignant une grande vague qui roule ou une masse soulevée et ondulante, comme de la fumée ou un nuage.

A noun referring to a large, rolling wave of water, or a mass of something (like smoke or cloud) that swells and moves in a similar wave-like manner.

1. Large waveB2formal

   A large, rolling wave of water, especially in the sea.

   Grosse vague

   • The ship was tossed about by the towering billows.
   • A great billow crashed against the rocky shore.
   • The storm sent huge billows over the deck.

   Synonymesbreakerrollersurgeswellwave

2. Surging massB2formal

   A large, swelling mass or cloud of something, such as smoke, steam, or sound.

   Masse enflée / gonflement

   • A billow of smoke rose from the chimney.
   • Billows of dust obscured the road ahead.
   • The explosion sent a billow of debris into the air.

   Synonymescloudfloodmasssurgeswellwave

• Verbe décrivant l'action de se gonfler, se soulever ou se dérouler vers l'extérieur en une grande vague ou masse, généralement utilisé pour la fumée, les nuages, les voiles ou les tissus.

A verb used to describe the action of swelling, surging, or rolling outward in a large wave or mass, typically used for smoke, clouds, sails, or fabric.

1. Rise and swell like a waveB2formal

   To rise up or swell outward in a large, rolling mass, like a wave or cloud.

   Se gonfler en vagues

   • Smoke billowed from the chimney into the gray sky.
   • The sails billowed in the strong wind.
   • Dust billowed behind the speeding truck.

   Synonymesheaveriserollsurgeswellundulate

   Antonymescollapseflattensettlesinksubside

2. Become inflatedB2formal

   To fill with air and swell outward, becoming larger and rounder.

   Se gonfler

   • The parachute billowed open as he jumped from the plane.
   • Her skirt billowed around her legs in the breeze.
   • The tent fabric billowed as the air pump filled it.

   Synonymesballoonbloatbulgedistendinflatepuff upswell

   Antonymescollapsedeflateflattensink

3. Move with great difficultyC1formal

   To move or surge forward in a heavy, rolling, or laborious manner.

   avancer lourdement

   • The crowd billowed through the narrow streets.
   • The thick fog billowed slowly across the field.
   • Lava billowed down the mountainside, destroying everything in its path.