winter
WIHN-tuh
Winter (noun) means the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring. Example: “We wear thick coats and woolly hats when winter comes.”
noun
1
The coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring.
"We wear thick coats and woolly hats when winter comes."
"They spent the winter skiing in the Alps."
"Heating bills always spike in winter."
2
Figuratively, a period of decline, hardship, or dormancy.
"After the factory closed, the town went through a bleak winter that lasted years."
"The company's winter ended when a new product finally sold well."
"The band's career hit a long winter after the label dropped them."
verb
1
To spend the winter season somewhere.
"Many birds winter in warmer countries far from here."
"My aunt winters on the coast, where it stays mild."
"The family winters in Florida every year."
2
To keep or store something through the winter to protect it from the cold.
"She winters her delicate plants in a heated greenhouse."
"We winter the boat in a dry shed so it does not crack."
"Farmers wintered the cattle in the barn."
How to use winter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cold season of the year — also used to describe a rough or dormant period in someone's life or career.
Common pairings
harsh winter
winter months
dead of winter
winter in Florida
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Word forms
- Plural
- winters
- Third person singular
- winters
- Past tense
- wintered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We wear thick coats and woolly hats when _____ comes.
Etymology
From Old English winter, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch winter and German Winter.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for winter
See all rhymes for winter →Frequently asked questions
What does “winter” mean?
The word “winter” means the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring. In plain terms, the cold season of the year — also used to describe a rough or dormant period in someone's life or career.
How do you pronounce “winter”?
“Winter” is pronounced WIHN-tuh (/ˈwɪntə/ in IPA).
How do you use “winter” in a sentence?
Here is “winter” used in a sentence: “They spent the winter skiing in the Alps.”
What part of speech is “winter”?
Depending on how it is used, “winter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “winter” come from?
The word “winter” comes from Old English. From Old English winter, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch winter and German Winter.
Is “winter” a common word?
“Winter” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “winter” have?
“Winter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring.
What months are winter?
In the Northern Hemisphere, winter usually runs from December to February, or from the December solstice to the March equinox by the astronomical calendar. In the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed, so winter falls in June, July, and August. The exact dates depend on which system you use.
Why is winter the coldest season?
Winter is coldest because of the tilt of the Earth. During winter, your hemisphere leans away from the Sun, so daylight is shorter and the Sun sits lower in the sky. Its rays strike the ground at a shallow angle and spread their heat thinly, keeping temperatures low.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of daylight, when the Sun reaches its lowest point in the midday sky. It marks the astronomical start of winter, around 21 December in the Northern Hemisphere. After it, days slowly begin to lengthen again toward spring.
What is the opposite of winter?
Summer is the opposite of winter. It is the warmest season, with the longest days and the Sun high in the sky, whereas winter is the coldest, with the shortest days. The two fall exactly six months apart and sit at opposite points of the yearly cycle.
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