billows
Puffs out dramatically
Billows are large, rolling waves of water, or masses of something that surge and swell like waves: billows of smoke, billows of fabric.
The verb billow describes this swelling motion—sails billow in the wind, curtains billow through open windows, clouds billow upward.
The word emphasizes soft, voluminous movement rather than sharp or violent action.
Sudden powerful increase
Ornamental feather or rising column
- chimneyVertical smoke passage
- exhaustUse up entirely
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- smolderingBurning slowly, no flame
swell
Increase in size
undulate · ripple · flutter · wave · expand · inflate · puff · balloon · rise · fall
surge
Sudden powerful increase
whitecap · foam · tide · ocean · sea · surf · roll · heave · undulate · rise
plume
Ornamental feather or rising column
smoldering · fireplace · steam · fog · mist · haze · wisp · curl · drift · rise
sail
Ship's wind-catching fabric
canvas · linen · silk · parachute · flag · banner · veil · canopy · tapestry · muslin
tempest
Violent windstorm or turmoil
- galeSevere sustained wind
- thunderheadTall storm-producing cloud
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
windstorm · gusts · turbulence · roiling · churning · towering · ominous · gathering · darkening · approaching