Pronunciation: [bˈɪlə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The word "billow" is pronounced /ˈbɪləʊ/ with two syllables. The first syllable is stressed, with a short "i" sound, represented by /ɪ/. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound, represented by /əʊ/. This word is spelled with a double "l" to indicate the stress and length of the first syllable. It is commonly used to describe the movement or shape of a large mass of air or water, often forming waves or clouds.
Billow is a verb and noun that refers to large, rolling waves or swells of a fluid substance, commonly associated with wind, smoke, or clouds. As a verb, it signifies the act of filling out or swelling up in a massive, undulating manner. When something billows, it often creates a visual effect of movement, giving the impression of a tremendous expanse expanding and contracting.
As a noun, billow describes the large, rolling mass of fluid itself, particularly when it pertains to waves or clouds. It can imply the visual appearance or the resulting form created by the undulating motion. Billows can be observed in various natural phenomena, such as swirling clouds billowing across the sky or waves billowing and crashing against a shoreline.
Furthermore, billow can also be used metaphorically to describe the movement or shape of non-physical entities, such as billowing laughter, billowing applause, or billowing smoke encapsulating a room. This usage suggests an abundant, powerful, and expansive quality, attributing a sense of intensity and grandeur to these non-physical manifestations.
In summary, billow encompasses the concept of large, rolling waves or swells, in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Whether referring to physical substances like wind, smoke, or clouds, or abstract ones like laughter or applause, billow indicates a significant and forceful expansion that captures the imagination and visual impact of the observer.
• A very large wave or surge of the sea.
• To swell or rise into large waves; to surge.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "billow" has its origins in the early 16th century and can be traced back to the Middle English word "bilwen" or "biliwen". This Middle English term is derived from the Old English word "bylgan", which means "to bellow" or "to roar". The Old English word itself can be linked to the Proto-Germanic word "bulgjaną", meaning "to swell" or "to bubble up". This etymology highlights the connection between the word "billow" and the idea of swelling or surging waves, which is the primary meaning of the term.
