cli ‧ mate W3 /ˈklaɪmət, ˈklaɪmɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: climat , from Late Latin clima , from Greek klima 'angle, latitude, climate' , from klinein 'to lean' ; because the weather depends on the angle of the sun to the earth ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] the typical weather conditions in a particular area:
Los Angeles’ warm dry climate
climate change (=a permanent change in weather conditions)
2 . [countable] an area with particular weather conditions:
These flowers will not grow in cold climates.
3 . [countable usually singular] the general feeling or situation in a place at a particular time
political/economic/social etc climate
Small businesses are finding it hard to survive in the present economic climate.
climate of
a climate of growing racial intolerance in large cities
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ adjectives
▪ warm/hot
Many people prefer to live where the climate is warm.
▪ cold/cool
Scotland's climate is too cold for these plants to survive.
▪ mild (=not too hot and not too cold)
The region's climate is mild all the year round.
▪ dry
She loves the dry climate of southern California.
▪ wet/damp
A damp climate can damage buildings.
▪ humid (=with hot and wet air)
Tropical vegetation flourishes in this humid climate.
▪ harsh ( also inhospitable formal ) (=uncomfortable and difficult to live in)
The climate of the Siberian steppes is harsh.
▪ extreme/severe
These mountain people are used to the extreme climate.
▪ arid (=very dry)
Very few plants can flourish in such an arid climate.
▪ temperate (=never very hot or very cold)
Europe's climate is temperate.
▪ tropical (=very hot and wet)
the tropical climate of Brazil
▪ a Mediterranean climate (=typical of the areas around the Mediterranean Sea)
Croatia enjoys a Mediterranean climate.
▪ the global/world climate (=the weather of the world)
Scientists are assessing the impact of carbon dioxide on the global climate.
▪ a changing climate
A changing climate will bring rising tides.
■ climate + NOUN
▪ climate change (=a permanent change in weather conditions)
The world must reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ adjectives
▪ the political/economic/social etc climate
At the time the political climate was moving steadily to the right.
▪ a favourable climate (=that is good for doing or achieving something)
Both sides were working to create a favourable climate for effective negotiations.
▪ a difficult/unfavourable climate
The economic situation created an unfavourable climate for investment.
▪ the current/present climate ( also the prevailing climate formal )
Change will be hard to achieve in the current climate.
▪ the international climate
The international climate changed for the worse as conflict broke out in the region.
▪ the intellectual climate (=the general way of thinking)
New inventions can change the intellectual climate.
■ verbs
▪ create a climate
It's important to create a climate of trust between staff and management.
■ phrases
▪ the climate of opinion (=the opinion which most people have about a subject)
The climate of opinion is still favorable for the President.
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THESAURUS
▪ weather use this to talk about whether it is hot or cold outside or whether it is raining, snowing, windy etc:
What was the weather like on your vacation?
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a period of warm sunny weather
▪ climate the usual weather conditions in a particular country or area:
Queensland has a warm tropical climate.
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the climate of southern Florida
▪ the outlook what the weather will probably be like for the next few days:
The outlook for the weekend is for continued sunny weather.
▪ conditions the weather at a particular time, especially when considering how this will affect a planned event or activity:
Conditions are perfect for today’s boat race.
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Freezing conditions are making the roads extremely hazardous.
▪ the elements formal weather, especially bad weather:
The equipment had been left exposed to the elements.