ENGLISH
REFERENCE

climate

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈkɫaɪmət// UK //klˈaɪmət// cli·mate Archaic General-service Literary

n. the typical weather conditions in a specific area over a long period of time. It can also describe the general mood or feeling of a situation, like a political or economic climate.

n. the long-term pattern of weather conditions prevailing in a specific geographic area. By extension, it describes the prevailing trend, mood, or conditions in a particular sphere of public life.


SIMPLE

The Mediterranean has a warm, sunny climate.

CONTEXTUAL

The company is struggling to survive in the current economic climate, forcing them to cut costs and delay new projects.

COMPLEX

While the region's harsh climate historically deterred large-scale agricultural development, recent advances in greenhouse technology have transformed the arid landscape into a surprisingly productive farming hub.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English climat, from Old French climat, from Latin clima, from Ancient Greek κλίμα (klíma, “latitude”, literally “inclination”).

Usage

Frequently used metaphorically to describe prevailing social, political, or economic conditions.

Idioms1 entry

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