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

Speaking to Salon in August, Dr. Ken Caldeira, an atmospheric scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science's Department of Global Ecology, warned that passing the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold would be a devastating benchmark.

From Salon

Meteorologists believe the extreme weather is due, in part, to the Dana phenomenon - when a pool of cold air interacts with an area of low pressure to create an intensely unstable atmospheric environment.

From BBC

"A year above 1.5C is unprecedented in human history," Dr. Ken Caldeira, an atmospheric scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science's Department of Global Ecology, told Salon at the time.

From Salon

The update comes as a separate report shows that greenhouse gases have risen by over 11% in the last two decades, with atmospheric concentrations surging in 2023.

From BBC

As it flows downhill, the air is compressed due to the higher weight of the atmospheric column above it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• climatic
• meteorological