# snowy

/ˈsnoʊi/ (US) · /snˈəʊi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snowy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. weather with snow

adjective · CEFR A1

when a lot of snow is falling or the weather is cold enough for snow.

For teachers: characterized by the falling of snow or meteorological conditions conducive to snow.

- It was a cold and snowy day, so we stayed inside by the fire.
- The forecast predicts a snowy week ahead, which will likely cause significant delays for commuters traveling through the mountain passes.

### 2. covered in snow

adjective · CEFR A2

covered with a layer of white snow.

For teachers: blanketed or covered with snow.

- The snowy mountains looked beautiful in the morning sunlight.
- The hikers struggled to find the trail beneath the deep, snowy drifts that had accumulated overnight.

### 3. pure white color

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

having a very bright, pure white color like snow.

For teachers: possessing a pure, brilliant white color resembling that of fresh snow.

- The bird had beautiful snowy feathers that stood out against the green trees.
- The bride chose a gown of snowy silk, which shimmered elegantly under the cathedral's soft lighting.

### 4. a type of bird

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Dialect

an informal name for a snowy owl or a snowy egret.

For teachers: an informal designation for specific avian species characterized by white plumage, such as the snowy owl or snowy egret.

- We were lucky to spot a snowy hunting near the edge of the field.
- Local birdwatchers gathered at the marshland hoping to catch a glimpse of the snowy that had been reported nesting nearby.

## Examples

- The children played outside on a cold, snowy day.
- The mountain peaks remained snowy well into the summer months, attracting hikers and photographers.
- The novel opens with a vivid description of a snowy evening in a remote village, establishing a sense of isolation and quiet beauty.

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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.