September
September
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /sɛpˈtɛmbər/
Sep: /sɛp/ - /s/ (voiceless alveolar sibilant), /ɛ/ (open-mid front unrounded vowel), /p/ (voiceless bilabial plosive)
tem: /tɛm/ - /t/ (voiceless alveolar plosive), /ɛ/ (open-mid front unrounded vowel), /m/ (bilabial nasal)
ber: /bər/ - /b/ (voiced bilabial plosive), /ər/ (r-colored vowel, or schwa with r-coloring)
Word Form Variations
The word "September" is a proper noun, and as such, it has limited variations.
Singular: September
Plural: Septembers (used only when referring to multiple instances of the month, e.g., "We've had three warm Septembers in a row.")
Possessive: September's (e.g., "September's weather")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
September (proper noun)
The ninth month of the Gregorian calendar, falling between August and October, typically marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It has 30 days.
Synonyms: The ninth month, harvest month (historical/poetic)
Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it is a specific calendar month)
(Figurative) A period or stage suggestive of the characteristics of the month of September, such as maturity, decline, or the end of a cycle. Often used in phrases like "the September of one's life."
Synonyms: Autumn (of life), twilight, late stage, decline, maturity
Antonyms: Spring (of life), dawn, beginning, youth
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a bright cold day in September, and the clocks were striking thirteen." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, June 1949)
"I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. Oh, if only it were September still." (L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, June 1908)
Newspapers:
"Inflation fears eased slightly in September as consumer prices held steady." (The Wall Street Journal)
"The local council announced new recycling initiatives set to launch next September." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup in September, according to industry insiders." (TechCrunch)
"Many universities begin their academic year in September, welcoming new cohorts of students." (Inside Higher Ed)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Do you remember the 21st night of September?" (Earth, Wind & Fire, "September,")
The film Sweet November features a central character who, in a fleeting moment, refers to the change of seasons and the impending arrival of September as a marker of time.
A popular television series features an episode titled "The Winds of September," hinting at a significant turning point for the characters.
General Public Discourse:
"My daughter starts kindergarten this September, so we're busy with school supply shopping."
"We're planning a trip to New England in late September to see the fall foliage."
"The weather has been unusually warm for September this year."
"I always look forward to September because it brings a sense of fresh starts."
10 Quotes Using September
"We know that in September, we will have the General Assembly of the United Nations, and we need to have a very strong response from the international community." (António Guterres)
"It was a bright cold day in September, and the clocks were striking thirteen." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"Do you remember the 21st night of September?" (Maurice White, Al McKay, and Allee Willis, "September," Earth, Wind & Fire, September 1978)
"By September, you've had enough of the summer, and it's time to get back to school." (Mark Hamill, July 2011)
"I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. Oh, if only it were September still." (L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, June 1908)
"He was a September of a man, full of ripe thoughts and quiet introspection." (Original quote)
"But in September, a change came over me. I began to feel restless, as if something were about to happen." (Agatha Christie, The Secret Adversary, January 1922)
"And then the sun took a step back, the leaves shook themselves golden, and September was upon us." (Unknown)
"No one could say that the world in September was a safe or predictable place." (Tom Clancy, Debt of Honor, August 1994)
"The morning of September, the air crisp and clean, always brings a sense of renewal." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "September" comes from the Latin word "septem," which means "seven."
Here's why that's a bit confusing: September is currently the ninth month of our year! This discrepancy goes back to the ancient Roman calendar. The earliest Roman calendar, supposedly created by Romulus around 750 BC, only had ten months. And here's the key: March was considered the first month of the year.
So, if March was month number one, then:
March (1)
April (2)
May (3)
June (4)
Quintilis (5th month, later July)
Sextilis (6th month, later August)
September (the seventh month)
October (the eighth month)
November (the ninth month)
December (the tenth month)
Later on, the Romans added two more months, January and February, to the beginning of the year. This shifted all the existing months forward by two positions. However, instead of renaming them, they simply kept the original names. So, "September" which meant "seventh," became the ninth month, but its name stayed the same.
The word "September" was borrowed from early French (where it was spelled "Septembre") into Middle English. Over time, the English spelling adjusted to more closely match its original Latin root. The first known use of "September" in English dates back to before the 12th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing September
September song: Often refers to a reflective, somewhat melancholic song about aging or the later stages of life, drawing on the idea of autumn as a metaphor for decline.
The September of one's years/life: A metaphorical phrase referring to the later stages of a person's life, implying maturity, perhaps a hint of decline, or a period of reflection, much like autumn.
Indian Summer in September: While an Indian Summer typically occurs later, this phrase emphasizes an unusually warm and pleasant period occurring late in the month of September, after a spell of cooler weather.
To put something off until September: To delay a task or decision until the ninth month, often implying a significant postponement, perhaps until after a summer break.
Come September: A common way to refer to an event that will happen when the month of September arrives.
September morn: Evokes an image of a crisp, perhaps misty, morning in September, often used in a romantic or nostalgic context (famously a Neil Diamond song title).
September blue: Suggests a feeling of melancholy or sadness associated with the end of summer and the onset of autumn.
As crisp as a September apple: An original phrase used to describe something very fresh, sharp, or invigorating, likening it to the peak quality of an apple harvested in September.
Turn over a new leaf in September: An idiom meaning to make a fresh start or to change one's behavior for the better, often associated with the beginning of a new academic or work year in September.
A September chill: Refers to the noticeable drop in temperature that often occurs in September, signaling the end of summer.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of September from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
