What is weather? Pronunciation and usage in English

weather means . Learn how to pronounce and use weather through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of weather

weathernoun

/ˈwɛðə/
Definition & pronunciation of weather

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "weather" in English. It's a tricky one for learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • ˈweðər (This is the most common pronunciation, especially in American English)

Let's break this down syllable by syllable:

  1. "We-": Pronounce this like the word "wet." Think of the sound you make when rain is falling. It's a short, quick "w" sound.

  2. "Th-": This is a voiceless dental fricative. It's a "th" sound, like in "think" or "this." However, it's NOT the same as the "th" in "this." It's more of a sharp, airy "th." It's a little harder to describe – imagine you're trying to brush your teeth with your tongue, but not actually making contact.

  3. "er": Pronounce this like the "er" in "her."

Putting it together: /ˈweðər/

Important Notes & Variations:

  • Rhotic vs. Non-Rhotic Accents: In American English (generally), the "r" sound after a vowel is pronounced (rhotic accent). So, you'll clearly hear the "r" in "weather." However, in many British English accents (non-rhotic accents), the "r" after a vowel is often not pronounced. In those accents, it would sound more like /ˈwɛðə/ (with a shorter, softer "er").

  • British Pronunciation (Non-Rhotic): /ˈwɛðə/ - The "er" is significantly shortened and almost disappears. You’re emphasizing the “th” sound and mainly hearing “weth”.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "weather" into Google Translate, click the speaker icon, and you’ll hear both American and British pronunciations.
  • Youglish: https://youglish.com/ - Type "weather" in and it will show you videos of how native speakers pronounce it in real-life contexts (YouTube, etc.).

To help me give you even more tailored guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) - Knowing your region helps me determine which pronunciation is most relevant.

Usage and examples with the word weather in English

Let's break down how to use the word "weather" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. General Atmospheric Conditions (Most Common)

  • Definition: This is the most frequent usage – referring to the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. This includes temperature, precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), wind, and cloud cover.
  • Example Sentences:
    • "The weather is beautiful today!" (meaning it's sunny and pleasant)
    • "We need to check the weather forecast before we pack for our trip."
    • "The weather has changed drastically in the last hour."
    • "I hate rainy weather."
    • "What's the weather like in London?"

2. As a Noun (Referring to a specific event)

  • Definition: “Weather” can also refer to a particular event that happens in the atmosphere.
  • Example Sentences:
    • "We had a terrible thunderstorm last weather." (Here, "weather" means the storm itself.)
    • "The snowstorm was a significant weather event."

3. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses (Less Literal)

  • “To take the weather” (British English): This means to endure a difficult or unpleasant situation, often emotionally.

    • “She’s really taking the weather after what happened.” (She’s being grumpy and difficult.)

  • “Weather the storm”: To survive a difficult period; to persevere through a challenging situation.

    • “The company is trying to weather the economic storm.”

  • “Fair weather”: Someone who is friendly and helpful only when it’s convenient for them.

    • “He’s a fair-weather friend.” (He only comes around when he needs something.)

  • “Rough weather”: A difficult or troubled time.

    • “We’re going through rough weather right now.”

4. Weather (as a Verb – Less Common)

  • Definition: To influence or affect something through difficult circumstances or pressure.
  • Example Sentence:
    • "The company had to weather the criticism." (The company had to endure the criticism without being damaged.)

Here's a quick table summarizing the uses:

Use Definition Example
General Atmospheric conditions "The weather is hot and sunny."
Specific Event A particular atmospheric occurrence "The heavy rain was terrible weather."
Idiomatic (British) Endure hardship emotionally “She’s taking the weather.”
Idiomatic Survive a challenging period “Let’s weather the storm together.”
Verb To endure pressure or influence “The business weathered the recession.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in using "weather" in? (e.g., casual conversation, writing, a specific topic)

Synonyms for the word weather

Idioms of the word weather

brass monkeys | brass monkey weather
(British English, slang)if you say that it is brass monkeys or brass monkey weather, you mean that it is very cold weather
    in all weathers
    in all kinds of weather, good and bad
    • She goes out jogging in all weathers.
    • The lifeboat crews go out in all weather(s).
    keep a weather eye on somebody/something
    to watch somebody/something carefully in case you need to take action
    • Keep a weather eye on your competitors.
    make heavy weather of something
    to seem to find something more difficult or complicated than it needs to be
    • People in this country make such heavy weather of learning languages.
    under the weather
    (informal)if you are or feel under the weather, you feel slightly ill and not as well as usual

      Practice with vocabulary weather

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The severe ______ conditions led to widespread flight delays across the region.
      2. Scientists are studying the long-term ______ changes occurring in the Arctic region.
      3. Our weekend outdoor plans are entirely dependent on the ______ report for Saturday.
      4. Despite the accurate ______ for heavy rain, many commuters were caught without umbrellas.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. Which of these terms refers to the daily atmospheric state, including temperature, wind, and precipitation? A) Climate B) Weather C) Atmosphere D) Environment

      2. When preparing for a road trip across different states, what information is essential to check for potential hazards? (Select all that apply) A) Traffic updates B) Road conditions C) The local meteorological outlook D) Availability of service stations

      3. What might cause significant delays or cancellations for international air travel? (Select all that apply) A) Technical issues with the aircraft B) Adverse atmospheric phenomena C) Air traffic control regulations in congested airspace D) Poor visibility at the destination airport

      4. Which term describes a long-term average of atmospheric conditions over an extended period in a specific region? A) Ecosystem B) Season C) Climate D) Terrain

      5. What would an agricultural expert monitor closely to decide the best time for planting heat-sensitive crops? A) Soil composition B) Pest activity forecasts C) Seasonal temperature trends D) Global market prices for produce

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Original: Heavy rain and strong winds led to significant delays in transportation across the city. Rewrite using "weather" or a related word form:

      2. Original: The daily atmospheric fluctuations can be quite unpredictable in mountainous regions. Rewrite using "weather" or a related word form:

      3. Original: The atmospheric conditions prevalent in this region over centuries define its distinct character. Rewrite, replacing the underlined phrase with a suitable alternative (do NOT use "weather"):

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The severe weather conditions led to widespread flight delays across the region.
      2. Scientists are studying the long-term climate changes occurring in the Arctic region.
      3. Our weekend outdoor plans are entirely dependent on the weather report for Saturday.
      4. Despite the accurate forecast for heavy rain, many commuters were caught without umbrellas.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. B) Weather
      2. B) Road conditions, C) The local meteorological outlook
      3. B) Adverse atmospheric phenomena, D) Poor visibility
      4. C) Climate
      5. C) Seasonal temperature trends

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Original: Heavy rain and strong winds led to significant delays in transportation across the city. Rewrite using "weather" or a related word form: The inclement weather led to significant delays in transportation across the city.

      2. Original: The daily atmospheric fluctuations can be quite unpredictable in mountainous regions. Rewrite using "weather" or a related word form: The daily weather patterns can be quite unpredictable in mountainous regions.

      3. Original: The atmospheric conditions prevalent in this region over centuries define its distinct character. Rewrite, replacing the underlined phrase with a suitable alternative (do NOT use "weather"): The climate prevalent in this region over centuries defines its distinct character.

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