Sky: meaning, definitions and examples

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sky

[skaɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

the sky is

the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth. It appears blue during the day and black at night, dotted with stars and celestial objects.

Synonyms

firmament, heavens, vault of heaven.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sky	Use in everyday conversation to refer to the area above the earth where clouds and the sun are visible. The sky is clear today. Birds are flying in the sky.
heavens	Use in religious or poetic contexts to refer to the sky or a divine place where gods or spiritual beings reside. The heavens opened and rain poured down. Prayers were sent up to the heavens.
firmament	Use in poetic or literary contexts to refer to the sky, the heavens, or the vault of heaven, often suggesting something grand or timeless. Stars twinkled in the firmament. The firmament stretched out endlessly above us.
vault of heaven	Use in poetic or romantic contexts to evoke an image of the sky as a grand dome or arched structure. Stars glittered in the vault of heaven. He gazed up at the majestic vault of heaven.

Examples of usage

The sky is clear today, not a single cloud in sight.
Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the sky?

^{Context #2 | Noun}

under the sky

the area that is directly above you when you are outside. The sky is often used in expressions to refer to everything above the earth.

Synonyms

firmament, overhead, vault of heaven.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sky	Commonly used in everyday conversation and writing to refer to the atmosphere above the Earth. Suitable for both informal and formal contexts. The sky is so clear today. We watched the sunset and admired the sky.
overhead	Used to describe something above the speaker or observer's head, not limited to the sky. Common in both everyday conversation and descriptive writing. Birds flew overhead. There was a plane flying far overhead.
firmament	A more poetic or literary term to describe the heavens or the sky. Often found in literature, poetry, or religious contexts. The stars twinkled in the vast firmament. He contemplated the mysteries of the firmament.
vault of heaven	An archaic or grandiose term that evokes a sense of grandeur or divine aspect of the sky. Often used in classical literature or dramatic speech. He gazed upon the vault of heaven with wonder. The night spread its dark mantle over the vault of heaven.

Examples of usage

We enjoyed a picnic under the clear blue sky.
There is nothing better than stargazing under the night sky.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

to sky

to hit, throw, or kick the ball high into the air.

Synonyms

elevate, hoist, launch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sky	Use 'sky' in more poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke imagery of the upper atmosphere or celestial events; it's often used to capture a sense of wonder or vastness. Birds were flying across the evening sky. The sky turned a brilliant shade of orange at sunset.
launch	Use 'launch' when referring to the initiation of something, especially starting projects, businesses, or sending objects into the air or space. This word often carries a sense of beginning or introduction. They plan to launch the new product next month. The rocket will launch at dawn.
elevate	Use 'elevate' when discussing raising something to a higher position, figuratively or literally. It's often used in contexts involving improvement, status, or lifting something up gently. This new program will elevate our team's performance. They elevated the platform for better visibility.
hoist	Use 'hoist' when referring to lifting something heavy or substantial, especially with the help of a mechanical device. It often implies a significant effort. The workers hoisted the heavy beams into place. We need to hoist the sails before we set sail.

Examples of usage

He skied the ball over the defender's head.
The goalkeeper tried to sky the ball to clear it from the penalty area.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'sky' comes from the Old Norse word 'ský,' meaning 'cloud.'
In the Middle Ages, the term started being associated with the upper regions of the atmosphere.
Various languages have unique words for 'sky'; for example, in Latin, it is 'caelum' and in French, it's 'ciel.'

Science

The sky appears blue due to Rayleigh scattering, where shorter blue wavelengths of light are scattered more than other colors.
In certain conditions, the sky can appear red or orange at sunrise and sunset because of more scattering of longer wavelengths.
Astronomers use telescopes to study distant stars and planets that shine from the depths of the night sky.

Literature

In many poems, the sky is often depicted as a symbol of freedom, openness, and inspiration.
William Blake famously described the sky in his works as a canvas representing the divine and the infinite.
The sky has served as a backdrop in countless fairy tales, illustrating the adventures and dreams of characters.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures view the sky as a realm of gods or spirits; for example, in ancient Egypt, the sky goddess Nut was vital to their mythology.
In Native American cultures, the sky is often celebrated in their folklore and signifies connection to nature and the universe.
Festivals like Midsummer often celebrate the sky with rituals that honor sunlight and the changing seasons.

Art

The sky has been a popular subject in art; Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night' depicts a dramatic and swirling night sky.
Artists throughout history have used the sky's colors and light as a focal point to convey emotion and atmosphere.
Modern artists often explore themes of the sky in relation to technology, climate change, and urbanization.

Translations

Translations of the word "sky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 céu

🇮🇳 आसमान

🇩🇪 Himmel

🇮🇩 langit

🇺🇦 небо

🇵🇱 niebo

🇯🇵 空 (そら)

🇫🇷 ciel

🇪🇸 cielo

🇹🇷 gökyüzü

🇰🇷 하늘

🇸🇦 سماء

🇨🇿 nebe

🇸🇰 nebo

🇨🇳 天空

🇸🇮 nebo

🇮🇸 himinn

🇰🇿 аспан

🇬🇪 მზე

🇦🇿 səmada

🇲🇽 cielo

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,585, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2582 adoption
2583 adapted
2584 sudden
2585 sky
2586 spoken
2587 translation
2588 presentation
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