storm-cloud

A dark storm-cloud gathers on the horizon.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dark, heavy cloud that typically brings rain, thunder, and lightning: "storm-cloud" refers to a type of cloud associated with a storm, often appearing thick, gray, or black in color.
   • A sign of trouble or unrest (figurative): "storm-cloud" can also mean a situation or event that foreshadows difficulty, conflict, or upheaval.

Usage Examples

• Literal:

  • The sky turned dark as storm-clouds gathered on the horizon. (Dark clouds associated with a storm appeared in the distance.)
  • A single storm-cloud hovered above the mountain, threatening rain. (One heavy cloud indicated an approaching storm.)

• Figurative:

  • The political storm-clouds over the country warned of an impending crisis. (Troubling signs of political unrest were visible.)
  • Storm-clouds of doubt cast a shadow over their plans. (Feelings of uncertainty foreshadowed problems.)

Advanced Usage

• "to see storm-clouds on the horizon": to perceive early signs of trouble or danger.

  • Economists saw storm-clouds on the horizon before the recession. (They detected early warnings of economic decline.)

• "storm-clouds gather": to indicate that problems are accumulating.

  • As tensions rose, storm-clouds gathered in the diplomatic talks. (Difficulties began to build up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Storm (n): a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.

  • The storm lasted all night, causing flooding. (A severe weather event.)

• Cloud (n): a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere.

  • White clouds drifted across the blue sky. (Typical atmospheric formations.)

• Stormy (adj): characterized by or affected by storms; turbulent.

  • The stormy weather delayed their flight. (Weather with storms.)

Synonyms

• Thundercloud: a large, dark cloud that produces thunder and lightning.

  • Thunderclouds rolled in before the hail. (A specific type of storm-cloud.)

• Nimbus: a dark cloud that typically brings rain.

  • A nimbus covered the sun, and rain began to fall. (A rain-bearing cloud.)

• Foreboding: a feeling that something bad will happen (used figuratively).

  • The silence was filled with foreboding. (A sense of impending trouble.)

Related Idioms

• Every cloud has a silver lining: even difficult situations have positive aspects.

  • Though the storm-clouds were dark, they knew every cloud has a silver lining. (They remained hopeful despite trouble.)

• A cloud on the horizon: a sign of future trouble.

  • The new policy was a cloud on the horizon for small businesses. (A potential problem.)