thermal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to heat or temperature.
adj.pertaining to heat, temperature, or the movement of heat energy.
Simple“The scientists measured the thermal energy produced by the chemical reaction.”
In context“The spacecraft was equipped with a specialized shield to withstand the extreme thermal stress of atmospheric reentry.”
Synonymscaloricheat related - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.designed to keep you warm by trapping heat, especially clothes.
adj.providing efficient thermal insulation to maintain body temperature in cold environments.
Simple“You should wear thermal underwear if you are going skiing in the mountains.”
In context“The hikers invested in high-quality thermal layers to ensure they remained warm during the overnight trek across the glacier.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a column of rising warm air that birds and gliders use to stay high in the sky.
n.a column of rising air in the lower atmosphere created by the uneven heating of the earth's surface.
Simple“The eagle circled higher and higher as it caught a strong thermal.”
In context“The glider pilot searched for a thermal over the sun-baked fields to gain enough altitude for the return journey.”
Synonymsupdraftconvection current - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a type of camera or sensor that sees heat instead of light.
n.an infrared imaging device or sensor used to detect heat signatures, often in low-visibility conditions.
Simple“The rescue team used a thermal to find the lost hikers in the dark woods.”
In context“The surveillance drone was equipped with a high-resolution thermal to detect movement through the dense forest canopy at night.”
SynonymsinfraredFLIR
Usage thermal comfort
“As seawater warms it expands, and this thermal expansion accounts for roughly a third of sea level rise recorded by scientists to date.”
“But he says that will only give you the perception of "thermal comfort" - in other words you will feel cooler but you're not actually cooling as much as you might think.”
From French thermal, from New Latin thermalis, from Ancient Greek θέρμη (thérmē, “heat”), from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰer- (“to heat, warm”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.