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Cumulus: meaning, definitions and examples

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cumulus

 

[ˈkjuːmjʊləs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

cloud formation

Cumulus clouds are fluffy, white clouds that typically have a flat base and are often found on a sunny day. They are formed by the vertical movement of air currents and are usually associated with fair weather.

Synonyms

cotton cloud, fair-weather cloud, heap cloud, puffy cloud.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cumulus

Scientific or technical contexts, often used in meteorology when discussing weather patterns.

  • Cumulus clouds are typically associated with fair weather.
  • Meteorologists observed cumulus clouds indicating stable atmospheric conditions.
heap cloud

Less common, sometimes used in poetic or archaic descriptions to imply large, piled cloud formations.

  • Heap clouds gathered on the horizon, promising a calm and peaceful afternoon.
  • The artist painted the sky filled with heap clouds, emphasizing their majestic forms.
puffy cloud

Casual conversation or descriptions, often used to give a friendly, light-hearted impression of the clouds.

  • Children pointed at the puffy clouds, seeing shapes and animals in them.
  • The sky was filled with puffy clouds that seemed to dance in the breeze.
cotton cloud

Informal or creative contexts, often used in storytelling or descriptions to evoke imagery.

  • The sky was dotted with cotton clouds that looked soft enough to sleep on.
  • She gazed up at the cotton clouds, daydreaming about distant lands.
fair-weather cloud

Commonly used in everyday conversation or informal writing to describe clouds associated with nice weather.

  • Look at those fair-weather clouds, it’s going to be a lovely day.
  • Fair-weather clouds floated lazily across the sky.

Examples of usage

  • The sky was filled with cumulus clouds on our picnic day.
  • We could see the cumulus clouds floating lazily in the sky.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 'Cumulus' comes from the Latin word meaning 'heap' or 'stack,' reflecting their piled-up appearance in the sky.
  • The use of 'cumulus' in English dates back to the late 16th century, showing how long this cloud type has been known.
  • Other cloud types also share similar roots in Latin, like 'stratus' (layer) and 'cirrus' (curl), helping categorize them.

Science

  • Cumulus clouds typically form when warm air rises and cools, leading to condensation of water vapor.
  • These clouds are associated with fair weather, but can develop into larger storm clouds if conditions change.
  • The height and shape of cumulus clouds can indicate changes in the weather; taller ones suggest the potential for storms.

Art

  • Artists throughout history have often used cumulus clouds as symbols of tranquility and peace in their paintings.
  • Impressionist painters, like Claude Monet, captured the soft, changing shapes of these clouds to create dreamlike scenes.
  • In photography, cumulus clouds create stunning backdrops and can enhance the beauty of landscapes.

Pop Culture

  • Cumulus clouds have been depicted in numerous movies and animations, often representing innocence or carefree moments.
  • In the popular animated film 'Up,' the main character dreams of adventure among fluffy clouds resembling cumulus formations.
  • Fashion trends sometimes draw inspiration from the lightness and softness of cumulus clouds, reflected in fabric choices.

Psychology

  • Cloud gazing, where people observe cumulus shapes, is a form of mindfulness that can reduce stress and promote relaxation.
  • Some studies suggest that viewing fluffy clouds can evoke feelings of happiness and nostalgia, connecting people to childhood memories.
  • The sky's appearance, including cumulus clouds, can influence mood and emotional well-being, demonstrating nature's impact on us.

Translations

Translations of the word "cumulus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cúmulo

🇮🇳 क्युम्यलस

🇩🇪 Kumulus

🇮🇩 kumulus

🇺🇦 кумулюс

🇵🇱 kumulus

🇯🇵 積雲 (せきうん)

🇫🇷 cumulus

🇪🇸 cúmulo

🇹🇷 kümülüs

🇰🇷 적운 (jeokun)

🇸🇦 ركام

🇨🇿 kumulus

🇸🇰 kumulus

🇨🇳 积云 (jīyún)

🇸🇮 kumulus

🇮🇸 kúlmúlus

🇰🇿 кумуляс

🇬🇪 კუმულუსი

🇦🇿 kumulus

🇲🇽 cúmulo

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,877, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.