atmospheric

[ at-muhs-fer-ik, -feer- ]

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.

Other Words From

• atmos·pheri·cal·ly adverb
• nonat·mos·pheric adjective
• nonat·mos·pheri·cal adjective
• nonat·mos·pheri·cal·ly adverb
• unat·mos·pheric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of atmospheric¹

First recorded in 1775–85; atmosphere + -ic

Example Sentences

La Niña seasons typically produce large numbers of atmospheric rivers, or narrow bands of concentrated water vapor in the sky that act like rivers in the sky.

From Salon

In atmospheric science, the boundary layer of the atmosphere is the region closest to the Earth's surface.

From Science Daily

Similar atmospheric river events - when small regions of moisture travel outside tropical regions - have occurred throughout North America over the last few weeks.

From BBC

As players led a brawny ape and a cartwheeling monkey through jungles, ancient ruins and snowscapes, they were treated to a musical smorgasbord of atmospheric tunes.

From New York Times

This allows researchers to detect and analyze a wide variety of atmospheric compounds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• climatic
• meteorological