tempestuous

UK: /tɛmˈpɛstʃuəs/ US: /tɛmˈpɛstʃuəs/ ,(tem pes′cho̅o̅ əs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tem•pes•tu•ous /tɛmˈpɛstʃuəs/   adj. 

1. of or relating to tempests:
   the tempestuous seas during the hurricane.
2. full of argument, anger, commotion, or noise:
   a tempestuous meeting.

tem•pes•tu•ous•ly, adv. 
tem•pes•tu•ous•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tem•pes•tu•ous  (tem pes′cho̅o̅ əs), adj. 

1. characterized by or subject to tempests:
   the tempestuous ocean.
2. of the nature of or resembling a tempest:
   a tempestuous wind.
3. tumultuous;
   turbulent:
   a tempestuous period in history.

• Late Latin tempestuōsus, derivative of tempestus, variant of tempestās tempest (see -ous); replacing earlier tempeste(u)ous, tempestious (see -eous, -ious)
• 1500–10

tem•pes′tu•ous•ly, adv. 
tem•pes′tu•ous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. violent, stormy.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tempestuous / tɛmˈpɛstjʊəs/ adjective

1. of or relating to a tempest
2. violent or stormy

temˈpestuously adverb

temˈpestuousness noun