# squall

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈskwɔːl/ · frequency rank #43,384

## Definitions
1. To cry or wail loudly.
2. To fall suddenly and forcefully, as if a squall.

## Etymology
From Middle English *squalen and squelen (“to cry, scream, squall”), from Old Norse skvala (“to cry out”), probably ultimately imitative with influence from squeal and bawl.
Cognate with Swedish skvala (“to gush, pour down”), Norwegian skval (“sudden rush of water”). The noun is probably from the verb.

## Easily confused with
- **stall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-stall)
- **squat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-squat)
- **squaw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-squaw)
- **square** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-square)
- **squash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-squash)
- **squeal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-squeal)
- **squalor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squall-vs-squalor)
- **small** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/small-vs-squall)
- **shall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shall-vs-squall)
- **squad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squad-vs-squall)
- **skull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skull-vs-squall)
- **squalid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/squalid-vs-squall)

## Common misspellings (7)
`qsuall`, `sqaull`, `sqquall`, `squal`, `squlal`, `ssquall`, `suqall`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/squall