atmosphere

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a particular environment or surrounding influence
  2. noun a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
  3. noun the mass of air surrounding the Earth

Etymology

Borrowed from French atmosphère, from New Latin atmosphaera, from Ancient Greek ἀτμός (atmós, “steam”) + σφαῖρα (sphaîra, “sphere”); corresponding to atmo- + -sphere.

In classic literature

Synonyms

ambiance, ambience

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