seasonal
SEE-zuh-nuhl
/ˈsiː.zən.əl/
Relating to, characteristic of, or changing with a particular season of the year.
Applies to natural patterns (seasonal migrations) as well as human activities (seasonal jobs or seasonal menus).
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, 'satio' meant the act of sowing seeds. Because planting happened at a precise, predictable time each year, the word evolved in Vulgar Latin to mean 'sowing time'. By the time Old French introduced 'saison' to English in the thirteenth century, it had broadened to mean any of the four annual climate divisions.
Word relationships
- periodic: Periodic means recurring at regular intervals of any length, whereas seasonal specifically recurs according to yearly seasons.
- cyclical: Cyclical moves in recurring cycles, but seasonal specifically ties those cycles to annual climate periods.
- perennial: Perennial means lasting or continuing continually throughout the whole year or through multiple years.
Commonly confused with
- seasoned: Seasoned means experienced or flavored, whereas seasonal means relating to times of the year.
Word family
- season (noun): One of the four main periods of the year marked by weather patterns.
- seasonally (adverb): In a manner depending on or changing with the season.
Collocations
- seasonal variation
- seasonal employment
- seasonal change
- seasonal affective disorder
Example sentences
- "The island economy experiences seasonal fluctuations, booming during summer tourism and quiet in winter." Economic analysis
- "Many bird species engage in seasonal migrations across thousands of miles to reach optimal breeding grounds." Wildlife biology
Memory hook
SEASONAL actions happen only in certain SEASONS. SEASONAL = Tied to specific times of the year.
When not to use
Do not use to describe permanent year-round phenomena.
Fun facts
- Earth's seasons are caused entirely by its 23.5-degree axial tilt, not by how close or far Earth is from the sun.
Explore more words
migrate, occasional, transience, periodic, seasoned, migration
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