ambient

[ am-bee-uhnt ]

adjective

1. of the surrounding area or environment: The temperature in the display case was 20° lower than the ambient temperature.

   Your voice mail picked up some ambient noise from airplanes and lawn mowers.

   The temperature in the display case was 20° lower than the ambient temperature.

2. completely surrounding; enveloping:

   Many pollutants are present in ambient air in relatively low concentrations.

3. creating a certain reaction or mood, often a subconscious one, by being wherever people tend to be:

   ambient advertising on a shopping cart.

4. pertaining to or noting sounds that create a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere:

   I stream ambient ocean sounds to help me fall asleep.

5. pertaining to or noting close and constant social contact and communication fostered by the internet or the use of digital devices:

   social media sites that enable ambient intimacy and awareness.

noun

1. ambient music ( def 1 ).

ambient

/ ˈæmbɪənt /

adjective

1. of or relating to the immediate surroundings

   the ambient temperature was 15°C

2. creating a relaxing atmosphere

   ambient music

noun

1. informal.
   ambient music

Other Words From

• un·ambi·ent adjective
• un·ambi·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambient¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin ambient- (stem of ambiēns, present participle of ambīre “to go around”), equivalent to amb- ambi- + -i- “go” + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambient¹

C16: from Latin ambiēns going round, from ambīre, from ambi- + īre to go

Example Sentences

Why that is, and why the U.S. is part of the trend despite a surging stock market and GDP, might be interesting to try and figure out—is it inflation, is it home prices, is it wealth inequality, is it something more ambient about the loss of meaning and direction in a largely virtual, service-oriented world?

From Slate

The modified vehicle will also monitor weather conditions and ambient light to help build a complete picture of the circumstances most likely to lead to headlight glare.

From BBC

McLeod has a dry, slightly deadpan sense of humor and a gentle voice that can sometimes get lost in ambient traffic noise.

From Los Angeles Times

"This move is necessary, as the vessel is not designed for the extremely low ambient temperatures anticipated in Rauma."

From BBC

It also promotes the rollback of a range of air quality regulations, from ambient air standards for toxic pollutants to greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.

From Salon

Related Words

• atmosphere
• environment
• feeling
• mood
• surroundings
• trend