atmosphere
//ˈætməsˌfɪə//
Forms
- Plural
- atmospheres
Definitions
1.The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.
- To most people, the huge ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland are merely water that once was snow. To glaciologists and climatologists, they are storehouses of the Earth's former atmospheres.
2.The air in a particular place.
- The last hue of crimson had died away in the west, and the depth of the rich purple atmosphere was unbroken.
- This year of 1905 also saw the completion of the electrification of the Underground, which certainly improved the atmosphere, and made travelling easier and more comfortable, although, at first, not too reliable.
3.The conditions (such as music, illumination, etc.) that can influence the mood felt in an environment.
4.The apparent mood felt in an environment.
- The atmosphere for the football match was great.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2410
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
Borrowed from French atmosphère
From New Latin atmosphaera
From Ancient Greek ἀτμός (atmós, “steam”) + σφαῖρα (sphaîra, “sphere”); corresponding to atmo- + -sphere.