weather

weather

---

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /ˈwɛðər/ (General American) or /ˈwɛðə/ (Received Pronunciation)

• w - /w/ (as in "we")

• e - /ɛ/ (as in "bed" or "get")

• th - /ð/ (voiced "th" as in "the" or "this")

• er - /ər/ (as in "runner," a schwa + 'r' sound - General American) or /ə/ (schwa, unstressed - Received Pronunciation)

---

Word Form Variations

Noun:

• Singular: weather (typically used as an uncountable noun)

• Plural: weathers (less common, usually in specific contexts like "various weathers" or "tough weathers" referring to different conditions or periods)

Verb:

• Base form: weather

• Third person singular present: weathers

• Present participle: weathering

• Past tense: weathered

• Past participle: weathered

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

1. The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, regarding heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, cloudiness or clearness.

• Synonyms: climate (general pattern), conditions, atmospheric conditions, elements, meteorology

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it describes a state)

2. Adverse or harsh atmospheric conditions. (Often implied in phrases like "brave the weather")

• Synonyms: storm, gale, tempest, inclement conditions, elements

• Antonyms: fair weather, calm, clear skies

Verb

1. To withstand or survive (a difficult period or situation).

• Synonyms: endure, brave, survive, overcome, resist, withstand

• Antonyms: succumb, yield, fail, collapse, give in

2. To expose to the air and sun to affect, change, or decay naturally.

• Synonyms: erode, age, decay, wear away, wear down, degrade

• Antonyms: preserve, protect, restore, conserve

3. (Of a ship or aircraft) to pass safely through or around (a storm or difficult conditions).

• Synonyms: navigate, sail through, ride out, surmount

• Antonyms: be overcome by, capsize in

Adjective (Attributive Use)

1. Relating to or used for predicting or measuring weather. (e.g., weather forecast, weather balloon)

• Synonyms: meteorological, atmospheric

• Antonyms: (Context-dependent)

---

Examples of Use

• Books:

• "No matter what the weather is like, one can always feel spring in his heart." (Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore, 2002)

• Newspapers:

• "The local economy is expected to weather the global downturn better than initially predicted, analysts say." (The Wall Street Journal)

• Online Publications:

• "Climate change models suggest increasingly extreme weather events will become the new normal for many coastal regions." (National Geographic Online)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "I hope the weather holds up for our outdoor concert tonight!" (Dialogue from a popular reality TV show, Big Brother)

• "This old wooden fence has certainly weathered many storms, but it's still standing strong." (Voiceover in a documentary about historical preservation, "Architectural Wonders,")

• "The weather forecast for tomorrow looks clear, perfect for our hike." (Podcast on outdoor activities, "Trail Tales,")

• General Public Discourse:

• "What's the weather like where you are?"

• "We had to weather a lot of criticism when we first launched our new product."

• "The old building's bricks were heavily weathered from centuries of wind and rain."

---

---

10 Quotes Using Weather

1. "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." (Charles Dudley Warner)

2. "There's no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." (John Ruskin)

3. "Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." (Mark Twain)

4. "If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm." (Frank Lane)

5. "A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely." (Pam Brown)1

6. "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." (Anthony J. D'Angelo)

7. "It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it." (Amelia Barr)

8. "I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather." (Paulo Coelho)

9. "Bad weather always looks worse through a window." (Tom Lehrer)

10. "When all is said and done, the weather and love are the two elements about which one can never be sure." (Alice Hoffman)

---

Etymology

The word "weather" has a very old and fascinating history, linking the conditions of the sky to ideas of change and even conflict.

Its journey begins with the Old English word "weder." In Old English, "weder" already meant "air," "sky," "breeze," "storm," or "tempest." So, from its earliest appearance in English, the word encompassed various atmospheric conditions, including both calm and stormy ones.

Tracing back further, "weder" comes from the *Proto-Germanic word "wedra-," which specifically meant "wind" or "weather." This suggests a strong original association with the movement of air.

Even before that, it's believed to derive from a Proto-Indo-European root that meant "to blow." This deep connection to wind and atmospheric movement highlights the very ancient origins of the word.

So, the first known use of "weather" (in its Old English form "wæder") was before the 12th century. Its original meaning encompassed the general condition of the atmosphere, particularly regarding wind, but also including broader concepts like sky and storm. Over centuries, its usage has refined to focus on the day-to-day atmospheric conditions we commonly discuss today. The verb form of "weather" (to endure a storm) also carries a sense of "withstanding the wind" or "navigating through adverse conditions," further reinforcing its ancient ties to atmospheric forces.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Weather

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "weather":

• Under the weather (feeling slightly ill)

• Keep a weather eye on (to watch something carefully for changes or trouble)

• To weather the storm (to survive a difficult period or crisis)

• Weather permitting (if the weather allows)

• Come fair weather or foul (regardless of circumstances, good or bad)

• Make heavy weather of (to find something more difficult than it needs to be)

• Battle the elements (using a synonym for similar effect, referring to adverse weather)

• Fine weather friend (a friend who is only present during good times)

• All sorts of weather (experiencing many different conditions or challenges)

• The political weather (the prevailing mood or climate in politics)

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of eagle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---