atmosphere
AT-muhs-feer
Atmosphere (noun) means the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth. Example: “The rocket left Earth's atmosphere within minutes.”
noun
1
The layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth.
"The rocket left Earth's atmosphere within minutes."
"Shooting stars burn up when they enter the atmosphere above us."
"Scientists study how the atmosphere traps heat around our planet."
2
The mood or feeling of a place or situation.
"The candlelit restaurant had a romantic atmosphere."
"There was a tense atmosphere in the office after the announcement."
"The cosy cafe has a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome."
How to use atmosphere
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the air around a planet, or the overall feeling or vibe of a place.
Common pairings
a tense atmosphere
a relaxed atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere
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Word forms
- Plural
- atmospheres
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The rocket left Earth's _____ within minutes.
Etymology
From French atmosphère, from New Latin atmosphaera, from Greek atmos ("vapor") + sphaira ("sphere").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for atmosphere
See all rhymes for atmosphere →Frequently asked questions
What does “atmosphere” mean?
The word “atmosphere” means the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth. In plain terms, either the air around a planet, or the overall feeling or vibe of a place.
How do you pronounce “atmosphere”?
“Atmosphere” is pronounced AT-muhs-feer (/ˈætməsˌfɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “atmosphere” in a sentence?
Here is “atmosphere” used in a sentence: “The rocket left Earth's atmosphere within minutes.”
What part of speech is “atmosphere”?
“Atmosphere” is a noun.
Where does the word “atmosphere” come from?
The word “atmosphere” comes from New Latin. From French atmosphère, from New Latin atmosphaera, from Greek atmos ("vapor") + sphaira ("sphere").
Is “atmosphere” a common word?
“Atmosphere” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “atmosphere” have?
“Atmosphere” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth.
What are the layers of the atmosphere?
Earth's atmosphere has five main layers. From the ground up they are the troposphere, where weather happens; the stratosphere, holding the ozone layer; the mesosphere; the thermosphere, where auroras occur; and the exosphere, which fades into space. Each layer differs in temperature, density, and the gases it contains.
What is the atmosphere made of?
Earth's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, about 78 percent, and oxygen, about 21 percent. The remaining one percent includes argon, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and traces of other gases. This mixture supplies the oxygen we breathe, shields the surface from harmful radiation, and helps keep the planet warm enough for life.
Does atmosphere have another meaning?
Yes. Besides the gases around a planet, atmosphere commonly means the mood or feeling of a place, as in a restaurant with a cosy atmosphere or a tense atmosphere in a room. Both senses share the idea of something that surrounds and pervades. Context makes clear whether you mean air or ambiance.
Why is the atmosphere important?
Earth's atmosphere makes life possible. It provides the oxygen we breathe and the carbon dioxide plants need, filters dangerous ultraviolet radiation, and traps enough heat to keep temperatures stable. It also burns up most meteors before they reach the ground and drives the weather and water cycles that sustain the planet.
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