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Snow Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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snow

[snəʊ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

weather

Atmospheric water vapor frozen into ice crystals and falling in light white flakes or lying on the ground as a white layer.

Synonyms

blizzard, flurry, snowfall.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
snow

General term for frozen precipitation that falls from the sky; can be used in any context involving this type of weather.

  • It's starting to snow outside.
  • I love the first snow of the season.
snowfall

Refers to the amount of snow that falls during a specific period; often used in weather reports and measurements.

  • The snowfall this year has been heavier than usual.
  • We received about 10 inches of snowfall last night.
blizzard

Intense snowstorm with strong winds and low visibility; used when describing severe winter weather conditions.

  • The blizzard last night covered the roads in thick snow.
  • We had to stay indoors due to the blizzard.
flurry

Light snowfall that occurs briefly and does not accumulate significantly; used when referring to short, small bursts of snow.

  • There were a few flurries this morning, but nothing serious.
  • I saw some flurries during my walk to work.

Examples of usage

  • It's snowing heavily outside.
  • We went skiing on fresh snow.
  • The children built a snowman in the yard.
Context #2 | Verb

action

Fall as or like snow.

Synonyms

descend, drift, fall.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
snow

Used here again to highlight a redundancy or to emphasize the common repetition of the word in various contexts.

  • The snow is so beautiful this morning.
  • How much snow did we get last night?
fall

Describes the action of snow coming down from the sky. Used in everyday conversation about weather.

  • The first snow of the season began to fall.
  • Snow continued to fall throughout the night.
descend

Used to describe the action of moving downward, often used in more formal contexts or to describe something coming down slowly or with gravity.

  • The fog began to descend over the mountains.
  • As night descended, the temperature dropped.
drift

Refers to snow being carried by the wind into heaps or piles. Often used to describe the natural accumulation and movement of snow.

  • The snow began to drift across the road.
  • There were large drifts of snow against the house.

Examples of usage

  • Leaves snowed down all around her.
  • Cherry blossoms snowed on the sidewalk.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environment

  • Snow plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate, acting as a natural insulator and affecting temperatures.
  • It reflects sunlight, which can help moderate global temperatures and keep the planet cooler.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, snow symbolizes purity and freshness, often celebrated in art and literature.
  • Festivals like winter solstice or Christmas often incorporate snow as a beautiful backdrop for celebrations.

Science

  • Snowflakes can take on unique shapes; no two are exactly alike due to the complex ways they form.
  • The average snowflake has about 180 billion molecules of water!

Pop Culture

  • Snow has been a major theme in movies and books, like in 'Frozen,' showcasing its magical qualities.
  • Songs about snow, such as 'Let It Snow,' highlight its association with warmth and togetherness during winter.

Origin of 'snow'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'snāw,' which has roots in Germanic languages.
  • In many languages, the word for snow is similar, reflecting its importance in cold climates across cultures.

The word 'snow' originated from the Old English word 'snaw'. It has been used to describe frozen precipitation falling from the sky for centuries. Snow has played a significant role in various cultures and traditions, symbolizing purity, beauty, and winter. In many regions, snow is associated with Christmas and the holiday season, bringing joy and festive cheer.

See also: snowboard, snowboarder, snowfall, snowflake, snowslide, snowslip, snowstorm, snowy.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,605, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.