# atmosphere

/ˈætməsˌfɪɹ/ (US) · /ˈætməsfˌiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atmosphere
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. gases around a planet

noun · CEFR B1

the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth or another planet.

For teachers: the envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another celestial body, held in place by gravity.

- The Earth's atmosphere protects us from the harmful rays of the sun.
- Scientists are studying the composition of the Martian atmosphere to determine if the planet could have ever supported microbial life.

### 2. mood of a place

noun · CEFR B1

the feeling or mood that you get from a place or situation.

For teachers: the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work.

- The restaurant had a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
- The director used low lighting and a haunting soundtrack to create a thick atmosphere of suspense throughout the opening scene.

### 3. air in a room

noun · CEFR B2

the air in a specific room or small space.

For teachers: the air in a particular confined space, often in relation to its temperature or cleanliness.

- We opened the windows to let some fresh air into the smoky atmosphere.
- The atmosphere in the crowded basement became increasingly heavy and humid as the party continued into the night.

### 4. unit of pressure

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a unit used to measure how much pressure the air is putting on something.

For teachers: a unit of pressure equal to the mean atmospheric pressure at sea level, approximately 101,325 pascals.

- The pressure at the bottom of the pool is more than one atmosphere.
- Deep-sea submersibles must be engineered to withstand hundreds of atmospheres of pressure without structural failure.

### 5. background actors

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

people who appear in the background of a film or TV show but do not speak.

For teachers: background actors or extras used to provide a sense of realism to a scene.

- The production hired fifty people for atmosphere in the busy street scene.
- The assistant director spent the morning positioning the atmosphere to ensure the fictional market looked sufficiently crowded for the wide shot.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable collective noun in production contexts.

## Examples

- The restaurant has a very romantic atmosphere.
- The director uses dark lighting and slow music to create a tense atmosphere throughout the opening scene of the film.
- While the scientific study of the planetary atmosphere is crucial for climate models, novelists often focus on the social atmosphere of a setting to reveal character motivations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.