atmospheric

American  

[at-muhs-fer-ik, -feer-] / ˌæt məsˈfɛr ɪk, -ˈfɪər- /

Also atmospherical

adjective

1. pertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere.

   atmospheric vapors.

2. caused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere.

   atmospheric storms.

3. resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere; having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines; hazy.

   atmospheric effects.

4. having or producing an emotional atmosphere.

   atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.

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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

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

Few of Portugal’s many hill towns dotting the border with Spain can claim to be as unapologetically spare and atmospheric as Castelo Rodrigo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Researchers are now analyzing the full dataset to map temperature patterns across the entire planet and better understand its atmospheric composition.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Above all, there was the problem that Patterson’s samples were continuously and unaccountably contaminated with large doses of atmospheric lead whenever they were exposed to air.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• climatic
• meteorological