at ‧ mo ‧ sphere S3 W2 /ˈætməsfɪə $ -fɪr/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Modern Latin ; Origin: atmosphaera , from Greek atmos 'liquid in the air, vapor' + Latin sphaera 'sphere' ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] the feeling that an event or place gives you:
The hotel had a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
The atmosphere at home was rather tense.
atmosphere of
An atmosphere of optimism dominated the conference.
2 . [uncountable] if a place or event has atmosphere, it is interesting:
The castle was centuries old and full of atmosphere.
The match was lacking in atmosphere.
3 . the atmosphere the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth
4 . [countable] the mixture of gases that surrounds a ↑ planet
5 . [countable usually singular] the air inside a room:
a smoky atmosphere
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + atmosphere
▪ a good atmosphere
The club has a good atmosphere.
▪ a happy/cheerful atmosphere
It's a good school and it has a very happy atmosphere.
▪ a relaxed/friendly/informal atmosphere
Helen's flat has a very relaxed atmosphere.
▪ a carnival/festive atmosphere (=when people are celebrating something)
Outside the stadium, there was a carnival atmosphere.
▪ a welcoming atmosphere (=when a place you arrive at feels friendly)
The bar provides a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxing evening drink.
▪ a cosy atmosphere (=when a building, room etc is small, comfortable, and warm)
With its low ceilings and open fire, the house has a cosy atmosphere.
▪ a bad atmosphere
There's a bad atmosphere among the staff.
▪ a strained/tense atmosphere (=not relaxed)
As soon as I went in, I was aware of the tense atmosphere in the room.
■ verbs
▪ the atmosphere changes
New owners bought the hotel and the whole atmosphere changed.
▪ create a good/bad atmosphere
Lighting is one of the most effective ways of creating a good atmosphere.