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ciclone
/tʃiˈkloː.ne/
cyclone
Il ciclone ha causato danni ingenti lungo la costa.
The cyclone caused extensive damage along the coast.
technical
A large-scale, rotating storm system with strong winds and heavy rain, originating over tropical or subtropical waters.
I meteorologi hanno previsto l'arrivo di un ciclone nel Mediterraneo.
Meteorologists have forecast the arrival of a cyclone in the Mediterranean.
In Italian, 'ciclone' can refer to both tropical cyclones (like hurricanes) and extratropical cyclones (like European windstorms).
figurative
A person or thing that causes great destruction or upheaval.
Quel politico è stato un vero ciclone nella sua città natale.
That politician was a real cyclone in his hometown.
Used metaphorically to describe someone with a powerful or disruptive influence.
Collocations
ciclone tropicaletropical cycloneciclone extratropicaleextratropical cycloneocchio del cicloneeye of the stormallerta ciclonecyclone warning
Pro Tip
Meteorological vs. Figurative Use
In weather reports, 'ciclone' always refers to a storm system. Avoid using it figuratively in formal writing unless the context is clearly metaphorical.
Gold Rule
Gender Agreement
The noun 'ciclone' is masculine (il ciclone) regardless of the storm's perceived gender. Do not use 'la ciclone'.
Word Origin
From the Greek *kyklôn* (whirling), via Latin *cyclonem*. The term entered Italian in the late 19th century through scientific terminology.
Usage Notes
In meteorology, 'ciclone' is gender-neutral (il ciclone/la ciclone is incorrect; always 'il ciclone'). Figurative use is informal and often hyperbolic.
Word Breakdown
ciclo-
circle, cycle
root-one
augmentative suffix (indicating intensity or size)
suffixDizionario Italiano-Inglese