Billow

To billow is to swell or bulge outward, often due to the action of wind or a force that causes a substance to expand. This action often applies to cloth, smoke, or other soft materials, creating a rounded, flowing shape. It can describe a natural phenomenon, like clouds billow across the sky, or an artificial one, such as curtains billow in a breeze. The verb's effect evokes a sense of movement, fullness, and often, a temporary increase in size or volume. Additionally, it can also be used to indicate a feeling of being swollen, as in a surge of emotion. The use of 'billow' suggests a dynamic, aesthetically pleasing, and potentially dramatic visual.

Billow meaning with examples

• The ship's sails began to billow in the strengthening wind, propelling it swiftly across the ocean. The sight of the white sails, filled with air, was a stunning image of nature's power. The crew made rapid adjustments to the lines, harnessing the billow of each sail to steer in the right direction.
• As the baker opened the oven, a cloud of fragrant smoke began to billow into the kitchen, filling the air with the aroma of freshly baked bread. The sight of the billow hinted at the delicious creation inside. Excited, they prepared to enjoy the first bite.
• The curtains would billow out from the open window, moved by the summer breeze. As the breeze danced through the room, the room felt serene and calm. The gentle motion of the cloth, so soft, set a peaceful and relaxing tone.
• He felt anger, as the emotions inside began to billow within him, and the pain of the memories bubbled to the surface. The pressure and the heat, a sense of intense internal force, threatened to burst out. He fought to contain them.