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zephyr

zephyr

2 9.5
A soft, mild breeze that feels cool and pleasant
  • noun
  • /ˈzɛfər/
translation icon : céfiro
  • The zephyr rustled the leaves and created a soothing sound as we relaxed in the garden.
  • a gentle zephyr
  • a little zephyr

Examples

  • Where balmy zephyrs fan his burning cheeks...

  • Lacy queen palms, Australian tree ferns, and other greenery swayed sensuously under the caress of the tropical zephyr.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • What a surprise that a passing zephyr should waft me here.

  • The cool zephyr was a welcome respite from the heat source already high overhead.

    Academic text (1996)
  • By early afternoon on Sunday, they were stronger but still gentle zephyrs.

    Blog text (13)
  • The Maiden's voice sounded distant and as fragile as a summer zephyr.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The wind was up to eighty-five knots: hurricane speed on Earth, yet only a zephyr in the rarified atmosphere of Mars.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Thrice happy he who hides from pomp and power in sylvan shade or solitary bower, where balmy zephyrs fan his burning cheeks...

  • On a hot day at the beach, a gentle zephyr brought a refreshing coolness to the air.

  • I sat on the porch, enjoying the zephyr that danced through the open windows.

Synonyms

breeze
vszephyr
201 1.0

A light cool wind that feels pleasant

is the same gentle mild wind idea expressed differently
whiff
vszephyr
60 3.2

A short puff of air that carries a smell

is a milder longer feeling of gentle moving air rather than a quick puff
light breeze
vszephyr
3 1.5

A gentle wind you feel on your face that moves leaves

is the general mild refreshing wind without precise speed mention

Antonyms

1.0

A violent weather event with heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning

24 5.8

A very strong wind that can blow down trees

How Strong

hurricane
301 2.2
storm
1.0
gale
24 5.8
gust
58 2.6
zephyr
2 9.5
calm
52 1.0

Surface Forms

zephyr singular
zephyrs plural

Etymology

Zephyr comes from the Greek name Zephyrus, the gentle god of the 'west wind'. Think of a soft 'breeze' coming from the west, and you can see why zephyr now means a light, pleasant breeze.