weather
WEH-thuh
Weather (noun) means the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place — temperature, rain, wind, and so on. Example: “Whatever the weather, we always walk the dog before breakfast.”
noun
1
The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place — temperature, rain, wind, and so on.
"Whatever the weather, we always walk the dog before breakfast."
"The weather turned cold and rainy by evening."
"We checked the weather before planning the hike."
verb
1
To endure and survive a difficult situation.
"The family weathered the long illness with help from their neighbours."
"Small shops had to weather several difficult winters before business improved."
"The company weathered the recession better than its rivals."
2
For rock or material to be worn down by exposure to sun, rain, and wind over time.
"Wooden fences weather quickly if nobody paints them."
"The cliffs have weathered into strange shapes after thousands of years of wind and rain."
"The gravestones had weathered until the names were barely legible."
How to use weather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAtmospheric conditions like rain, sun, or wind, or (as a verb) to survive a hard experience or be gradually worn down by exposure.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "whether" (introducing a choice) — they're homophones with completely different meanings.
Common pairings
weather the storm
bad weather
weather forecast
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Word forms
- Plural
- weathers
- Third person singular
- weathers
- Past tense
- weathered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Whatever the _____, we always walk the dog before breakfast.
Etymology
From Old English weder, a very old Germanic word ultimately traced to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to blow" (as the wind does).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for weather
See all rhymes for weather →Frequently asked questions
What does “weather” mean?
The word “weather” means the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place — temperature, rain, wind, and so on. In plain terms, atmospheric conditions like rain, sun, or wind, or (as a verb) to survive a hard experience or be gradually worn down by exposure.
How do you pronounce “weather”?
“Weather” is pronounced WEH-thuh (/ˈwɛðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “weather” in a sentence?
Here is “weather” used in a sentence: “The weather turned cold and rainy by evening.”
What is another word for “weather”?
Words with a similar meaning to “weather” include state of the atmosphere.
What is the opposite of “weather”?
The opposite of “weather” — its antonyms — is lee.
What part of speech is “weather”?
Depending on how it is used, “weather” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “weather” come from?
The word “weather” comes from Old English. From Old English weder, a very old Germanic word ultimately traced to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to blow" (as the wind does).
Is “weather” a common word?
“Weather” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between weather and whether?
They sound alike but differ completely. "Weather" is the state of the atmosphere — sun, rain, wind, temperature. "Whether" is a conjunction introducing a choice or possibility: "I wonder whether it will rain." If you can replace the word with "if," you need "whether," not "weather."
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is the atmosphere's condition at a particular moment and place, such as today's rain or heat. Climate is the average pattern of weather over many years across a region. Weather can change hour to hour, while climate describes what is typical over decades.
What are the main types of weather?
Common weather conditions include sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, snowy, foggy, and stormy. They are shaped by factors such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind. Meteorologists track these elements to describe current conditions and to forecast what is coming next.
What causes weather?
Weather results mainly from the Sun heating the Earth unevenly, which stirs the atmosphere. Differences in temperature and air pressure move air and moisture around, creating wind, clouds, rain, and storms. The Earth's rotation and local geography then shape these patterns further.
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