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
Etymology
Origin of atmospheric
First recorded in 1775–85; atmosphere + -ic
Explanation
Something that's atmospheric is related to a planet's atmosphere, or the gases that surround it. Atmospheric pollution can sometimes cause asthma and other breathing problems. All planets have an atmosphere, layers of gas that are held close to them by their gravitational pull. The atmospheric conditions on Earth have allowed many life forms to develop, but global warming is a serious atmospheric problem that is getting worse. Every planet has its own unique atmospheric makeup. The adjective atmospheric comes from atmosphere, which stems from the Greek root words atmos, "steam or vapor," and spharia, "sphere or globe."
Vocabulary lists containing atmospheric
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 3–February 9, 2024
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for October 23–October 29, 2021
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 4
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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 1862 mega-floods were not from an El Niño but a piling-up of atmospheric rivers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
Unlike Earth, the Moon has virtually no atmospheric layer, so space debris does not slow down or burn up before colliding with the surface.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
“I feel like it’s genre-defying and can appeal to fans of atmospheric stuff and extreme metal, and anyone who likes aggressive music or even just guitar rock.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
Any attempt to manipulate atmospheric chemistry would require careful study to understand potential unintended effects.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
I needed to root out anything that would have a problem with losing atmospheric pressure.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
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.
