Weather
WETH-er
/ˈwɛðər/
The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, regarding heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
Weather is immediate and localized, constantly changing, unlike climate which is a long-term average.
The story behind the word. The word 'weather' comes from the Old English 'weder', which has roots in Proto-Germanic. It's an ancient word, reflecting humanity's long-standing preoccupation with the daily atmospheric conditions that impact life. Its meaning has remained remarkably consistent over centuries, referring to the state of the air and sky.
Word relationships
- conditions: More general, can refer to any state, not just atmospheric.
- climate: Climate is long-term average; weather is short-term state.
Commonly confused with
- Climate: Weather is the current state of the atmosphere; climate is the average of weather conditions over a long period.
Word family
- weathering (noun): The process of wearing away or changing due to exposure to weather.
- weatherproof (adjective): Able to withstand exposure to weather without damage.
Collocations
- bad weather
- good weather
- weather forecast
- weather conditions
- severe weather
Idioms & expressions
- under the weather (feeling unwell)
- weather the storm (endure a difficult period)
Example sentences
- "The weather forecast predicts heavy rain and strong winds for tomorrow afternoon." A common daily conversation.
- "The small boat managed to weather the fierce storm, though it sustained significant damage." Describing a difficult experience (verb usage).
Memory hook
Think of 'WHETHER' you need an umbrella or not depends on the 'WEATHER'. Whether umbrella or not
When not to use
Do not use 'weather' when discussing long-term atmospheric patterns; use 'climate' instead.
Fun facts
- The study of weather is a major part of meteorology.
- The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 56.7 °C (134 °F) in Death Valley, California.
Related words
Explore more words
meteorology, Climate Change, microclimate, forecast, precipitation, weathering
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