Graupel Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɡraʊpəl/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A small, soft, and fragile piece of ice that forms from supercooled water droplets in clouds, often falling to the ground during a thunderstorm.

Examples

• The storm brought heavy graupel and hail, causing damage to the crops.
• Graupel can be mistaken for snow, but it’s much softer and more fragile.

Synonyms

• Graupoint
• Pellet ice

Etymology

The word “Graupel” comes from the German word “Graupel”, which means “soft berry”.

Usage Notes

Graupel is often used to describe the appearance of fine, soft hailstones that have fallen to the ground.

Cultural References

Graupel has been featured in various weather-related contexts, such as in film and television shows.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Hail and graupel” is a common phrase used to describe heavy precipitation.

Related Words or Phrases

• Hail
• Sleet

Collocations

Graupel often collocates with words like “storm”, “thunder”, and “precipitation”.

Frequency of Use

Graupel is a relatively rare term in everyday language, but it’s used frequently in meteorological and scientific contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Gerbera
• Gruele