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

There’s just a ton of business value in being able to run an engine efficiently and cleanly on a fuel that just sits in a glass at ambient conditions, which is what those alcohols do.

From TechCrunch

In addition to cooling ambient air, conventional AC units have to dedicate huge amounts of energy to dealing with this water vapor, which retains considerable heat and makes it feel much more uncomfortable.

From MIT Technology Review

In a city setting with more ambient light, you can get by with less.

From Outside Online

Some lights, such as the Vya Pro from Light and Motion or the Varia Smart Light from Garmin, automatically detect changes in ambient light and adjust intensity and flash rate accordingly.

From Outside Online

Without nests or food, they brave the elements by huddling together on stable pack ice to maximize ambient heat and minimize exposure.

From Quanta Magazine

Lights will be ambient, allowing for the artwork to be spotlighted drawing specific attention to each unique piece.

From The Daily Beast

Her 2013 release Lua Ya offers a beguiling type of Korean ambient vocal music, unlike anything else I heard during the year.

From The Daily Beast

“I love Kanye—I met him at a fashion show,” Testino could be heard cooing before the ambient party-noise washed over them.

From The Daily Beast

The office is gloriously quiet, and always nice and cool, given the ambient Seattle climate and the orientation toward the north.

From The Daily Beast

These are hard times, and there's a lot of ambient anger looking for a target.

From The Daily Beast

Ambient, am′bi-ent, adj. going round: surrounding: investing.

From Project Gutenberg

Arjun drove the chariot fair, While his shafts like countless locusts whistled through the ambient air!

From Project Gutenberg

Note that all animal life is cold-blooded, with a negligible difference between body and ambient temperatures.

From Project Gutenberg

Over the luncheon to which Tancred was presently summoned a foreboding hovered, ambient in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

The ambient fluid of the Winds is born, Air is born, invisible Element, felt yet unfeeling.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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