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"Twister" vs. "tornado": words in a whirlwind

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 30/09/2024, 11:23

English.me team member

Tornado and twister. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both refer to a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.

What is different?

Tornado is the formal meteorological term, while twister is a colloquial term often used informally.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for tornado) and twister

Examples of usage

Tornado

The tornado caused significant damage to the town.
We took shelter in the basement when we heard a tornado was approaching.

Twister

The movie "Twister" depicts storm chasers tracking a series of twisters in Oklahoma.
A twister touched down in the rural farmland, causing minimal damage.

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