sky

1 of 2

noun

ˈskī 

plural skies

1

: the upper atmosphere or expanse of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or arch over the earth

2

: heaven sense 2

3

a

: weather in the upper atmosphere

b

: climate

temperate English skies

—G. G. Coulton

sky

2 of 2

verb

skied or skyed; skying

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to throw or toss up : flip

2

: to hang (something, such as a painting) above the line of vision

3

: to hit (a ball) high into the air

intransitive verb

: to jump high

sky for a rebound

Synonyms

Noun

• blue
• firmament
• heaven(s)
• high
• welkin

Examples of sky in a Sentence

Noun

There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Dark clouds moved quickly across the sky.

Hailstones suddenly fell out of the sky.

The sun was high in the sky.

The forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow.

a patch of blue sky

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Just past his backyard fence, gray billows of smoke filled the sky above the ridgeline and flames could be seen chewing through sagebrush just a couple miles away. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

Don’t head to sleep early on the star-splashed night skies, either. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

Verb

There, rideshare apps Uber and Lyft have announced plans to pull out of the city all together due to new wage floor laws that drive prices sky high. —Adam Kovacevich, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

People who live on the path of totality can sky gaze from their backyards to avoid traffic and driving hazards, Houston said. —Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, cloud, sky, from Old Norse skȳ cloud; akin to Old English scēo cloud

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sky

• blue sky
• blue-sky law
• deep-sky
• mackerel sky
• pie in the sky
• sky blue
• sky-high
• sky marshal
• sky pilot
• sky wave
• take to the sky/skies
• the sky's the limit

Kids Definition

sky

noun

ˈskī

plural skies

1

: the upper atmosphere : the vast arch or dome that seems to spread over the earth

2

: heaven sense 2

3

: weather entry 1, climate

the forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow