Indian summer

noun

1. a period of mild, dry weather, usually accompanied by a hazy atmosphere, occurring usually in late October or early November and following a period of colder weather.

Indian summer

noun

1. a period of unusually settled warm weather after the end of summer proper
2. a period of ease and tranquillity or of renewed productivity towards the end of a person's life or of an epoch

Indian summer

1. A period of unusually warm weather in the fall, often following a seasonable cold spell.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian summer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian summer¹

originally US: probably so named because it was first noted in regions occupied by American Indians

Idioms and Phrases

A period of mild, sunny weather occurring in late autumn, usually following a seasonable cold spell. For example, We had two whole days of Indian summer this year, and then it turned cold again . [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

The sun burned crimson in a gray-blue sky through a delicate Indian-summer haze, as beautiful as a day-dream in paradise.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a beautiful Indian-summer day, and he hobbled out into the field for an afternoon's fishing.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a flicker of color left on the oaks and maples, and though it was not Indian-summer weather it was first cousin to it.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a warm, Indian-summer afternoon, and the old rancher sat out on the porch in his shirt-sleeves.

From Project Gutenberg

It was thus he smoothed away the sulky frown which suited neither his face, nor the gentle Indian-summer sunshine.

From Project Gutenberg