atmospherically
|at-mos-pher-i-cal-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌæt.məˈsfɛr.ɪ.kli/
🇬🇧
/ˌæt.məˈsfɛr.ɪ.k(ə)li/
(atmospheric)
relating to the atmosphere
Etymology
'atmospherically' originates from Greek via New Latin and English: ultimately from Greek 'atmos' meaning 'vapor, steam' and 'sphaira' meaning 'sphere', with the adjective-forming suffix '-ic' and the adverbial suffix '-ally'.
'atmosphere' entered English from Middle French/Latin 'atmosphaera' (from Greek). The adjective 'atmospheric' developed from 'atmosphere', and the adverb 'atmospherically' formed by adding the adverbial '-ally' to that adjective.
Initially the root referred literally to the 'vapor sphere' surrounding a planet; over time it came to mean both the physical gaseous envelope and senses related to mood or ambience, and 'atmospherically' now carries both literal (weather/air) and figurative (mood/ambience) senses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a way that relates to the physical atmosphere (the layer of gases surrounding a planet) or to atmospheric conditions (weather).
The rocket launch was monitored atmospherically to assess wind shear and pressure changes.
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Adverb 2
in a manner that creates, enhances, or relates to a particular mood, ambience, or sense of place (figurative use).
The restaurant was atmospherically lit, giving diners a sense of intimacy.
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Last updated: 2025/11/12 12:56