weather

[ weth-er ]

/ ˈwɛð ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR weather ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.

a strong wind or storm or strong winds and storms collectively: We've had some real weather this spring.

a weathercast: The radio announcer will read the weather right after the commercial.

Usually weathers. changes or vicissitudes in one's lot or fortunes: She remained a good friend in all weathers.

verb (used with object)

to expose to the weather; dry, season, or otherwise affect by exposure to the air or atmosphere: to weather lumber before marketing it.

to discolor, disintegrate, or affect injuriously, as by the effects of weather: These crumbling stones have been weathered by the centuries.

to bear up against and come safely through (a storm, danger, trouble, etc.): to weather a severe illness.

Nautical. (of a ship, mariner, etc.) to pass or sail to the windward of: to weather a cape.

Architecture. to cause to slope, so as to shed water.

verb (used without object)

to undergo change, especially discoloration or disintegration, as the result of exposure to atmospheric conditions.

to endure or resist exposure to the weather: a coat that weathers well.

to go or come safely through a storm, danger, trouble, etc. (usually followed by through): It was a difficult time for her, but she weathered through beautifully.

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Idioms for weather

under the weather, Informal.

somewhat indisposed; ailing; ill.
suffering from a hangover.
more or less drunk: Many fatal accidents are caused by drivers who are under the weather.

Origin of weather

before 900; Middle English (noun), Old English weder; cognate with Dutch weder, German Wetter, Old Norse vethr

historical usage of weather

Weather and its (Germanic) kindred terms wind and window are derivatives of the very common, very complicated Proto-Indo-European root awe-, awē-, wē- “to blow.” The variant awe- is the source of Germanic wedram “storm, weather” (Old English weder, English weather ). The suffixed variant wēn- forms Latin ventum “wind,” and English wind and window.
Window is first recorded in Middle English in the first half of the 13th century. It comes from Old Norse vindauga “wind eye,” originally an opening in a gable or roof to release smoke and admit light. (The Old Norse word came into Old English before the initial w- became v- in literary Old Norse.)

OTHER WORDS FROM weather

weath·er·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH weather

weather whether whither wither (see synonym study at wither)

Words nearby weather

weasel, weasel out, weasel word, weasel words, weaselly, weather, weather advisory, weather balloon, weather bomb, weather bureau, weather deck

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for under the weather

weather

/ (ˈwɛðə) /

noun

the day-to-day meteorological conditions, esp temperature, cloudiness, and rainfall, affecting a specific placeCompare climate (def. 1)
(modifier) relating to the forecasting of weathera weather ship

a prevailing state or condition

make heavy weather

(of a vessel) to roll and pitch in heavy seas
(foll by of) to carry out with great difficulty or unnecessarily great effort

under the weather informal

not in good health
intoxicated

adjective

(prenominal) on or at the side or part towards the wind; windwardthe weather anchor Compare lee (def. 4)

verb

to expose or be exposed to the action of the weather

to undergo or cause to undergo changes, such as discoloration, due to the action of the weather

(intr) to withstand the action of the weather

(when intr, foll by through) to endure (a crisis, danger, etc)

(tr) to slope (a surface, such as a roof, sill, etc) so as to throw rainwater clear

(tr) to sail to the windward ofto weather a point

Derived forms of weather

weatherability, nounweatherer, noun

Word Origin for weather

Old English weder; related to Old Saxon wedar, Old High German wetar, Old Norse vethr

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for under the weather

weather

[ wĕð′ər ]

The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. Weather is described in terms of variable conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity, precipitation, and barometric pressure. Weather on Earth occurs primarily in the troposphere, or lower atmosphere, and is driven by energy from the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. The average weather conditions of a region over time are used to define a region's climate.

Cultural definitions for under the weather (1 of 2)

under the weather

Indisposed, unwell: “The day after the big party, Jay had to call in sick, saying he was feeling under the weather.”

Cultural definitions for under the weather (2 of 2)

weather

The daily conditions of the atmosphere in terms of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and moisture.

Idioms and Phrases with under the weather (1 of 2)

under the weather

Ailing, ill; also, suffering from a hangover. For example, She said she was under the weather and couldn't make it to the meeting. This expression presumably alludes to the influence of the weather on one's health. [Early 1800s] The same term is sometimes used as a euphemism for being drunk, as in After four drinks, Ellen was a bit under the weather.

Idioms and Phrases with under the weather (2 of 2)

weather

In addition to the idiom beginning with weather

weather the storm

also see:

fair-weather friend
heavy going (weather)
keep a weather eye out
under the weather

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weather