Word
zephyr
Phoneticszephyr
US/ˈzɛfɝ/
UK/zˈɛfɐ/
Españolcéfiro
Countable noun
Definition
n. a very light, soft, and gentle wind. You use this word to describe a breeze that feels pleasant and refreshing.
n. a soft, gentle breeze. Often used in literary or poetic contexts to describe a mild wind, specifically one blowing from the west.
Examples
“A cool zephyr blew through the open window on the hot afternoon.”
“The sailors welcomed the gentle zephyr that finally stirred the sails after hours of being stuck in the heat.”
“As the sun began to set over the valley, a light zephyr carried the scent of blooming jasmine across the terrace, providing a brief respite from the summer humidity.”
Examples
simple
“A cool zephyr blew through the open window on the hot afternoon.”
contextual
“The sailors welcomed the gentle zephyr that finally stirred the sails after hours of being stuck in the heat.”
complex
“As the sun began to set over the valley, a light zephyr carried the scent of blooming jasmine across the terrace, providing a brief respite from the summer humidity.”
Usage
Literary in register; rarely used in technical weather reports or everyday conversation.
Real-World Examples
“Calling our ripping Washoe wind a zephyr is a triumph of the sort of ironic understatement that is essential to the American tall tale tradition.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek Ζέφυρος (Zéphuros), the name of the god of the west wind.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
The Zephyr Song · 2002 · Alternative rock
- Artist:
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Album:
- By the Way
Released in 2002 by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this alternative rock track uses the headword to describe a gentle, soothing breeze. The title evokes a sense of freedom and natural movement, reflecting the song's psychedelic and melodic atmosphere.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/zephyr
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0