climate

climate — noun

1. the pattern of weather — such as temperature, rainfall, and wind — that a place

1.nounB1
Definition

the pattern of weather — such as temperature, rainfall, and wind — that a place typically experiences across many years

Example

The Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

countable: a/the + [adjective] + climate for describing a region

Farmers in this region worry about how the changing climate will affect their crops.

Common collocations
  • tropical climate
  • Mediterranean climate
  • dry climate
  • humid climate
  • changing climate
  • global climate
Synonyms
  • weather

    refers to short-term conditions rather than long-term patterns (the weather today vs. the climate of a region)

  • conditions

    broader term that can include non-meteorological factors; less specific than climate

  • environment

    includes physical surroundings beyond just weather (land, sea, air together)

Usage Note

Can be used with either an article (a climate, the climate) or without (climate change, climate science). The countable form describes one specific region's weather pattern.

Common Mistakes

The weather of Taiwan is subtropical.' (when referring to long-term patterns).
The climate of Taiwan is subtropical.
'weather' describes day-to-day conditions; 'climate' describes long-term averages.

2. the set of attitudes, feelings, or opinions shared by people in a specific setti

2.nounC2
Definition

the set of attitudes, feelings, or opinions shared by people in a specific setting or era — for example, a tense atmosphere at work or a fearful mood in a community

Example

After the merger, the climate at the company became tense and competitive.

the climate at [place] + adjective describing mood

The political climate in the country shifted dramatically after the election.

Common collocations
  • political climate
  • economic climate
  • social climate
  • climate of fear
  • climate of change
  • working climate
  • current climate
Synonyms
  • atmosphere

    more immediate and emotional; climate suggests a broader, more stable situation

  • environment

    broader term that may include physical and structural factors beyond mood

  • mood

    refers more to temporary emotional states rather than a general situation

Usage Note

Almost always used with a modifier (an adjective or of-phrase) to specify what kind of atmosphere exists. Rarely used without some descriptive context.

Common Mistakes

The climate is good in this office.' (too vague).
The working climate in this office is supportive and collaborative.
always specify what kind of climate with an adjective or of-phrase.

climate — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Climate and weather are easily confused. Weather describes what is happening outside on a given day — rain, sun, wind — while climate describes the average pattern over many years. For example, 'the weather in London today is rainy' but 'London has a temperate climate.' Environment is broader, covering physical surroundings such as land, air, water, and ecosystems. Conditions can refer to either short-term or long-term states depending on context ('driving conditions are poor' vs. 'living conditions in the region'). Temperature is a single measurable element of climate (degrees of heat), not a substitute for the whole weather pattern. Use climate when discussing long-term regional weather trends; use weather for day-to-day forecasts.

climate ↗weather ↗environment ↗conditionstemperature ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • climate change
  • climate science
  • climate policy

Phrases

  • a shift in climate
  • the effects of climate
  • adapt to a climate

Prepositions

  • in a ... climate
  • the climate of ...

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'climate' comes from ancient Greek 'klima,' meaning 'slope' or 'inclination' — a reference to the angle of the sun's rays hitting the Earth, which determines a region's weather. Latin adopted it as 'clima' (region of the Earth), and French passed it into English as 'climat' in the 1300s. The figurative meaning, referring to the mood or atmosphere of a situation, developed in the 1700s.