weather
weather Lexical Profile
weather Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, and rain.
"We decided to postpone our hiking trip until the weather cleared up."
Adverse, stormy, or unpleasant atmospheric conditions, such as high winds, heavy rain, or snow.
"The fishing fleet stayed in the harbor after the coast guard warned of heavy weather offshore."
• verb
To come safely through a storm, crisis, or difficult period without suffering serious damage or harm.
"Small local businesses worked hard to weather the economic downturn."
To wear away, discolor, or alter the surface of rock, wood, or other materials through long exposure to the atmosphere.
"Decades of salt spray and coastal winds had weathered the cedar shingles to a soft silver gray."
To sail to the windward of a cape, headland, or other obstacle.
"The schooner managed to weather the rocky point before nightfall."
• adjective
Designating the side of a ship, shore, or structure that faces toward the direction from which the wind is blowing; windward.
"The captain ordered the crew to secure the gear along the weather rail before the squall hit."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with its homophones 'whether' (a conjunction introducing alternatives) and 'wether' (a castrated ram). In earth science, 'weather' refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, whereas 'climate' refers to long-term regional averages.
• Rhymes for weather
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'weder', meaning air, sky, breeze, or storm, derived from Proto-Germanic '*wedra-' (wind, weather) and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*we-' meaning 'to blow'.