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

It opens with rumbling drums, a wandering upright bass, and an atmospheric synthesizer.

From Los Angeles Times

The weather rules include atmospheric electricity, types of cloud, specifically cumulus and disturbed weather like rain or strong winds.

From BBC

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

The same computational approaches can help scientists better understand fluid motion in many systems, including ocean currents, atmospheric patterns, and blood flow.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

Related Words

• climatic
• meteorological