Atmosphere
AT-muh-sfeer
/ˈætməsfɪər/
The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet.
Beyond its scientific meaning, 'atmosphere' can also refer to the prevailing mood or character of a place or situation.
The story behind the word. The word 'atmosphere' is a blend of two Greek words: 'atmos', meaning 'vapor' or 'steam', and 'sphaira', meaning 'ball' or 'globe'. It literally means 'vapor sphere', a fitting description for the gaseous layer that envelops our planet.
Word relationships
- air: More general, often referring to the breathable gas around us, less scientific than 'atmosphere'.
- sky: Refers to the visible expanse above the Earth, not the gaseous envelope itself.
Word family
- atmospheric (adjective): Relating to the atmosphere.
Collocations
- Earth's atmosphere
- upper atmosphere
- dense atmosphere
- pollute the atmosphere
Idioms & expressions
- clear the atmosphere (improve a tense situation)
Example sentences
- "Pollutants released into the atmosphere can contribute to global warming and acid rain." Discussing environmental concerns.
- "Mars has a very thin atmosphere, primarily composed of carbon dioxide, making it difficult for liquid water to exist on its surface." Describing space exploration.
Memory hook
Imagine 'ATOMS' (tiny particles) forming a 'SPHERE' around the Earth. That's the atmosphere! Atoms in a sphere
When not to use
Avoid using 'atmosphere' to mean 'air' in a casual sense if you're specifically referring to the scientific layer of gases.
Fun facts
- The Earth's atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases.
- The 'Kármán line' at 100 km (62 miles) is often considered the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.