atmospheric

UK: /ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk/

US: /ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk, -ˈfɪr-/

US: (at′məs fer′ik, -fēr′-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

at•mos•pher•ic  (at′məs fer′ik, -fēr′-), adj. 

1. Meteorology pertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere:
   atmospheric vapors.
2. Meteorology caused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere:
   atmospheric storms.
3. resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere;
   having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines;
   hazy:
   atmospheric effects.
4. having or producing an emotional atmosphere:
   atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.
   Also, at′mos•pher′i•cal. 

• atmosphere + -ic 1775–85

at′mos•pher′i•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

at•mos•phere /ˈætməsˌfɪr/  n. 

1. Physics [countable]
   • [usually singular; usually: the + ~] the gases surrounding the earth;
     the air.
   • the gases surrounding a planet, esp. the earth;
     air.
2. Physics [countable] (in science) a unit of pressure, equal to the normal pressure of the air at sea level, about 14.7 pounds per square inch.
3. a surrounding mood that seems to fill a place, event, or situation:
   [countable] an atmosphere of tension filled the classroom.
4. a distinctive quality;
   character:
   [uncountable] The room has a cozy atmosphere.

at•mos•pher•ic /ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk, -ˈfɪr-/  adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

at•mos•phere  (at′məs fēr′), n., v., -phered, -pher•ing. 
n. 

1. Physics the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth;
   the air.
2. this medium at a given place.
3. Astronomy the gaseous envelope surrounding a heavenly body.
4. Chemistry any gaseous envelope or medium.
5. Physics a conventional unit of pressure, the normal pressure of the air at sea level, about 14.7 pounds per square inch (101.3 kilopascals), equal to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 29.92 in. (760 mm) high. Abbr.: atm.
6. a surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence:
   an atmosphere of impending war; a very tense atmosphere.
7. the dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel:
   the chilly atmosphere of a ghost story.
8. a distinctive quality, as of a place;
   character:
   The old part of town has lots of atmosphere.

v.t. 

9. to give an atmosphere to:
   The author had cleverly atmosphered the novel for added chills.

• Neo-Latin atmosphaera. See atmo-, -sphere
• 1630–40

at′mos•phere′less, adj.