stormy petrel

noun

1
2
a
: one fond of strife
b
: a harbinger of trouble

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stormy petrel was circa 1776

Dictionary Entries Near stormy petrel

Cite this Entry

“Stormy petrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stormy%20petrel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stormy petrel

noun
1
2
: a person who is fond of conflict or disagreement
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!