weathered

American  

[weth-erd] / ˈwɛð ərd /

adjective

1. seasoned or otherwise affected by exposure to the weather.

2. (of wood) artificially treated to seem discolored or stained by the action of air, rain, etc.

3. (of rocks) worn, disintegrated, or changed in color or composition by weathering.

4. Architecture. made sloping or inclined, as a window sill, to prevent the lodgment of water.

---

weathered British  

/ ˈwɛðəd /

adjective

1. affected by exposure to the action of the weather

2. (of rocks and rock formations) eroded, decomposed, or otherwise altered by the action of water, wind, frost, heat, etc

3. (of a sill, roof, etc) having a sloped surface so as to allow rainwater to run off

4. (of wood) artificially stained so as to appear weather-beaten

   weathered garden furniture

---

Other Word Forms

• unweathered
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of weathered

First recorded in 1780–90; weather + -ed ²

Explanation

Weathered things are worn by use, time, or weather, like the weathered shingles on a beachside cottage or an elderly man's weathered face. Your favorite sneakers will look weathered by the end of the summer. And, the weathered Canadian flag your brother hung outside your house back when he was a hockey fan should probably be replaced with a Union Jack now that his favorite spectator sport is cricket. Weathered comes from the verb weather, which first meant just "come through safely," before gaining the meaning "wear away by exposure," like the paint on a boat over time.

Example Sentences

The couple has already weathered other milestones, including the actor’s health scare in April 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

But the price increases may also reflect some faith in a U.S. consumer that has weathered a half-decade of supply shocks and cost-of-living increases, and may be able to absorb even more, some experts say.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

With the Fed on the sidelines amid uncertainty over the inflationary impact of the war, it’s an important measure of how the U.S. economy weathered the second full month since fighting began.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

So far, households have weathered the higher gas prices, largely thanks to the cushion provided by higher average tax refunds.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Although aged and weathered, it appeared to be in reasonably good repair.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• accomplished
• competent
• hardened
• knowledgeable
• qualified
• skillful
• trained
• wise