thermal
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for thermal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to heat or temperature.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use thermal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French thermal, ultimately from Greek therme ("heat").
Full origin of thermal →Frequently asked questions
What does “thermal” mean?
The word “thermal” means relating to heat or temperature. In plain terms, relating to heat, or something (like clothing) built to keep you warm.
How do you pronounce “thermal”?
“Thermal” is pronounced THUR-muhl (/ˈθɝməl/ in IPA).
How do you use “thermal” in a sentence?
Here is “thermal” used in a sentence: “The factory uses thermal energy from burning coal.”
What is another word for “thermal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “thermal” include thermal column.
What part of speech is “thermal”?
Depending on how it is used, “thermal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “thermal” come from?
The word “thermal” comes from French. From French thermal, ultimately from Greek therme ("heat").
Is “thermal” a common word?
“Thermal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “thermal” have?
“Thermal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to heat or temperature.
What is a thermal in gliding and paragliding?
A thermal is a rising column of warm air. Glider and paraglider pilots circle inside thermals to gain height without engine power, and soaring birds use them in exactly the same way.
What are thermals in clothing?
Thermals are garments designed to retain body heat — typically close-fitting base layers such as thermal underwear, tops, and leggings worn in cold weather. As an adjective, thermal describes any clothing made to hold warmth in, as in "thermal socks."
What is the difference between thermal and heat?
Heat is a noun naming the energy itself, while thermal is an adjective meaning "relating to heat or temperature." A power station generates heat, but we call it a thermal power station. The two are not interchangeable, because thermal cannot stand alone as the name of the energy.
What are common collocations with thermal?
Frequent pairings include thermal energy, thermal imaging, thermal conductivity, thermal underwear, and thermal springs, all built on the sense "relating to heat or temperature." In weather and aviation contexts, thermal also stands alone as a noun for a rising column of warm air.