Skip to main content
to weather

to weather

1 9.9
To sail toward the wind to avoid danger
  • verb
  • /ˈwɛðər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : navegar a barlovento
  • To successfully weather the rough seas, the crew adjusted the sails and navigated skillfully.

Examples

  • I believe God meant for me to make this voyage as he means for us to weather this storm and return to Spain in triumph.

  • To weather was fun if you sailed a loose tack, letting the boat play the wind a bit to keep steady.

    Blog text (17)
  • A thin man with graying hair and sad, vacant eyes, he was deeply pessimistic about his ship's ability to weather the storm.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • If Chelsea can weather Barca's offense, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to contain Bayern's attack.

    Blog text (5)
  • The sailor learned to weather the strong winds by steering his ship into the oncoming waves.

  • When facing strong storms, it is essential for a captain to weather the conditions carefully.

Idioms

21 5.3

Feeling slightly ill and not your usual self

11 5.2

To survive a difficult time by dealing with problems

Asking what the weather is like in a place

6.0

Complain angrily about bad weather that causes problems

Very wet, rainy weather that ducks like

Changing often in ways you cannot predict

A joking phrase for weather so rainy that only ducks enjoy it

Have a strong influence on a group's mood or decisions

heavy weather
  • Informal
8.3

Make a task seem harder than it is

Very wet weather that only ducks like

Very rainy weather that ducks enjoy

Phrasal Verbs

To find out what the weather is now or will be like

To discuss small safe topics to start conversation and fill silence

Act as if a task is much harder than it is

Manage to get through a difficult situation

To survive a period of very cold weather

Compounds

46 1.0

Weather that makes being outside unpleasant, often with rain or strong wind

A United States government agency that gives weather forecasts and warnings

25 1.0

A period when the air is much colder than usual

The state of the air at a place and time, like temperature, wind, clouds, or rain

A short report that says what the weather will be like

weather station
  • Specialized
11 2.7

A place with instruments and people who measure and record the weather

10 1.0

Dry, mild, sunny conditions that are pleasant for outdoor activities

9 1.0

Warm, sunny, and comfortable weather that people enjoy

5 2.5

A map showing temperature, rain, and air pressure in a region at one time

weather satellite
  • Specialized
4 3.5

A satellite made by people that takes pictures and information about the Earth's weather

3 3.7

Suitable for use in any weather, like rain or snow

A person who says what the weather will be

weather forecasting
  • Specialized
3 3.4

Predicting what the weather will be like later in a place

Having a rough, worn look after being outdoors in sun or wind

A shift in the weather that brings different temperatures, rain, or wind

2 5.6

A person who helps only when things are good and leaves during problems

1 1.3

Nice dry conditions good for outdoor activities

Bright weather with a clear sky and no rain

An official office that collects and predicts weather

weather deck
  • Specialized
1 6.4

Top outside part of a ship open to rain and wind that protects the area below

weather stripping
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A thin piece of material placed around doors and windows to stop cold air, water or dust from entering

1 3.7

A rod on a roof that turns to show wind direction

fair-weather fan
  • Informal
1 7.4

A person who supports a team only when it is winning

Clothing that keeps you dry and warm in rain or storms

weather radar
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A device that finds clouds and rain to help weather forecasts

1 7.5

A careful watch for danger or change

A report that says what the weather will be like for a place and time

weather sheet
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A rope or chain used to control the angle of a sail to the wind

A jacket that keeps you dry and warm in wind or rain

A loyal person who helps you in good and bad times

Cold, wet weather that feels unpleasant outside

9.1

Unpleasant wet and cold weather that makes you feel miserable

A time with little or no sunshine

Very strong winds and heavy rain that make conditions dangerous

weather chart
  • Specialized
3.4

A map that shows weather in a place at one time, like wind and temperature

weather ship
  • Archaic
7.4

A ship at sea that collects and sends weather information

A part of a ship or building that faces the wind

4.3

A thin strip on doors or windows that stops cold air and water entering

Surface Forms

weather infinitive
weathered past
weathered past participle
weathering present participle
weathers third person singular

Etymology

The nautical verb weather comes from Old English weder and was used by sailors for moving a ship toward the wind to pass a danger safely, so picture a captain steering into the wind to avoid rocks. That is why to weather a headland or storm means to get past it by handling the wind.