atmospheric
[at-muh s-fer-ik, -feer-]
- pertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere: atmospheric vapors.
- caused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere: atmospheric storms.
- resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere; having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines; hazy: atmospheric effects.
- having or producing an emotional atmosphere: atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.
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Also at·mos·pher·i·cal.
Origin of atmospheric
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for atmospheric
Contemporary Examples
Dear Thief is worthy of the abused critical adjectives philosophical, atmospheric, and masterful.
Yet this is an established fact, agreed upon by over 99 percent of climatologists, atmospheric scientists, and other experts.
Carell is good in a brooding, atmospheric movie but Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are better.
His focus on the grim and the disturbing is beautiful, and becomes rhythmic, atmospheric, and addictive.
These, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are the worst storms ever to hit the U.S.
Historical Examples
The atmospheric heat had passed, and the men stood shivering in the water.
The Golden WomanRidgwell Cullum
At the trinight hour the heat of our atmospheric passage was over.
"I wonder what the atmospheric sample will show," Tance said.
The GunPhilip K. Dick
To this linear perspective is added moreover an atmospheric perspective.
Chinese PaintersRaphael Petrucci
He was the first to demonstrate the nature of atmospheric air and also of water.
Word Origin and History for atmospheric
adj.
1783, from atmosphere + -ic. In a sense of "creating a mood or mental environment" it is from 1908. Atmospherics "disturbances in wireless communication" is from 1905.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper