atmospheric

adjective

at·​mo·​spher·​ic ˌat-mə-ˈsfir-ik 

-ˈsfer-

1

a

: of, relating to, or occurring in the atmosphere

atmospheric dust

b

: resembling the atmosphere : airy

2

: having, marked by, or contributing aesthetic or emotional atmosphere

an atmospheric inn

also : marked by an emphasis on impression or tone

atmospherically

ˌat-mə-ˈsfir-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈsfer-

adverb

Examples of atmospheric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists attribute this phenomenon to changes in the Earth's core and atmospheric influences. —James Powel, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Shot on 16mm, this earthy, psychological portrait of a working-class community’s cyclical existence is an atmospheric plunge into the eerie. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

Staged at the atmospheric Cloître Saint-Trophime–a 12th-century Romanesque cloister and UNESCO World Heritage Site–this exhibition is the winning project of the BMW ART MAKERS 2025 programme and marks the 15th year of BMW France’s cultural partnership with the festival. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Watching Possible Tropical Storm After Gil Downgraded Flash Floods: Live Tracker Maps as Warning Issued Tropical storms develop from clusters of thunderstorms over warm ocean waters, especially where atmospheric conditions allow for sustained convection and low wind shear. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

atmosphere + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing atmospheric

• atmospheric river

Rhymes for atmospheric

• allosteric
• amphoteric
• anomeric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric
• dysenteric
• esoteric
• exoteric
• isomeric
• lithospheric
• mesenteric

Kids Definition

atmospheric

adjective

at·​mo·​spher·​ic ˌat-mə-ˈsfi(ə)r-ik 

-ˈsfer-

: of or relating to the atmosphere

atmospheric pressure

atmospherically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb