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tempestuous
/tɛmˈpɛstʃuəs/
stormy and turbulent
The tempestuous sea made sailing dangerous.
The rough and violent sea conditions made sailing perilous.
literary
Characterized by strong and conflicting emotions; turbulent or stormy.
Their tempestuous relationship was filled with intense arguments and passionate reconciliations.
Their relationship was marked by extreme emotional swings and dramatic conflicts.
The tempestuous weather forced the hikers to seek shelter.
The violent storms made the hiking conditions hazardous.
Often used to describe emotions, relationships, or natural events that are violent, turbulent, or emotionally intense.
Collocations
tempestuous affaira relationship marked by extreme emotionstempestuous weatherviolent and stormy weather conditionstempestuous emotionsintense and conflicting feelings
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing
While 'tempestuous' is vivid, it can sound melodramatic if used too frequently. Reserve it for intense emotional or natural contexts.
Gold Rule
Use with strong emotions or chaos
'Tempestuous' works best when describing extreme emotional states (e.g., relationships) or violent natural phenomena (e.g., storms). It is not suitable for mild or neutral situations.
Word Origin
From Latin *tempestuosus*, meaning 'stormy,' derived from *tempestas* (storm, weather) + *-osus* (full of). First recorded in English in the late 16th century.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in literary or descriptive contexts to evoke strong emotions or chaotic situations. Avoid using in formal or neutral contexts unless describing dramatic scenarios.
Word Breakdown
tempest
storm or violent weather
root-uous
full of or characterized by
suffixEnglish Dictionary