seasonal

[ see-zuh-nl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, dependent on, or accompanying the seasons of the year or some particular season; periodical:

   seasonal work.

noun

1. a seasonal product, employee, etc.:

   to hire seasonals.

seasonal

/ ˈsiːzənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or occurring at a certain season or certain seasons of the year

   seasonal labour

Confusables Note

Seasonal and seasonable are sometimes interchanged, probably because of their obvious connection with season. In edited prose and in formal speech these two adjectives are almost always distinguished. Seasonal describes phenomena that occur with or depend upon a season or the seasons: seasonal fluctuations in rainfall; seasonal sales. Seasonable in reference to weather means “suitable to or characteristic of the season”: a seasonable December; seasonable temperatures for July. Seasonable also has the sense “timely, opportune”: a seasonable offer of financial assistance.

Derived Forms

• ˈseasonally, adverb
• ˈseasonalness, noun

Other Words From

• season·al·ly adverb
• season·al·ness noun
• multi·season·al adjective
• non·season·al adjective
• non·season·al·ly adverb
• pre·season·al adjective
• trans·season·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seasonal¹

First recorded in 1830–40; season + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Temporary workers such as fruit pickers and poultry workers are covered by seasonal worker visas, external, subject to an annual quota.

From BBC

Fresh seasonal produce and the best collection of curated goods awaits.

From Los Angeles Times

For many, cinnamon is a seasonal spice; others use it year-round in savory dishes or sauces.

From Salon

Like an old friend who turns up with the gift of a comfy sweater, Irish Repertory Theater is reviving not one but two popular seasonal productions.

From New York Times

That gave Weisman — a seasonal park ranger who has worked in Alaska and worries deeply about Trump loosening environmental regulations — much-needed hope.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annual
• intermittent
• monthly
• occasional
• recurrent
• recurring
• regular
• repeated
• routine
• sporadic
• weekly
• yearly