atmospheric
Americanadjective
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pertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere.
atmospheric vapors.
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caused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere.
atmospheric storms.
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resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere; having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines; hazy.
atmospheric effects.
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having or producing an emotional atmosphere.
atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.
Other Word Forms
- atmospherically adverb
- nonatmospheric adjective
- nonatmospherical adjective
- nonatmospherically adverb
- unatmospheric adjective
Etymology
Origin of atmospheric
First recorded in 1775–85; atmosphere + -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The state’s rainfall at the end of the year will be determined by more factors, such as the frequency and strength of atmospheric rivers, than whether it’s technically an El Niño year, he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
With specialized imaging tools, the team found that cells actively generate directional fluid flows, which they compare to atmospheric rivers.
From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026
The weather rules include atmospheric electricity, types of cloud, specifically cumulus and disturbed weather like rain or strong winds.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
She distinguished herself writing episodes of weird, atmospheric series including Netflix’s “Brand New Cherry Flavor,” a nightmarish exploration of witchcraft and filmmaking in 1990s L.A., and “Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities,” also for Netflix.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
Second, when gases from Earth were introduced into the Martian soil sample, the gases became chemically combined with the soil—almost as if there were photosynthesizing microbes, generating organic matter from atmospheric gases.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
