Do you like warm weather, beach days, and sunshine? Or maybe you’re a fan of the wintry weather.
Warm but not scorching, with a chance of clouds and light rain — that seems just about right.
Conditions in many nations where English is spoken vary significantly from region to region.
For instance, visiting Canada between November and April, you should pack for a long, hard winter. On the other hand, if you go to Australia, you will experience a long, hot summer with very little chance of seeing freezing weather or snow.
However, in the broadest sense, we may say that the English language experiences four unique seasons. There are four: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The exact times of these seasons vary depending on where on Earth you are. Summer in the United Kingdom occurs while it is winter in South Africa. This is because South Africa is located in the southern half of the Earth, and Great Britain is in the northern half (southern half).
I’m curious, what time of year do you like the most, and why?
Let’s study the four seasons in English so you can confidently respond to that question!
Methods for Developing Fluency in English Weather-Related Speech
Practicing what you’ve learned about the seasons in English is the most acceptable method to master the language.
Start with Agenda web, where you may play activities like matching and hangman, and fill in the gaps to improve your English vocabulary and understanding of the changing seasons. Scheduled vocabulary tests for each season’s weather are available on the Agenda web.
Next, try picking one of two weather-related, climate-related, and seasonal-related terms to fill in the blanks in a fill-in-the-blanks exercise on Learn English Feel Good. You may learn the distinctions between the supplied terms and practice using them correctly in this way.
Vocabulary is best learned when applied to real-world situations (in actual English usage). I advocate for the British Council’s seasonal readings and activities in English.
Have a hankering for some tunes? You may find references to the changing seasons and other weather-related topics in the lyrics of various international English-language songs. Some of my faves include Summertime Upsetness or Sadness by Lana Del Rey, which is about being sad in the summer, and “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas and the Papas, which is about being unhappy in the winter and wishing they were someplace warmer.
How to Describe the Four Seasons in English Ice, wind, sand, and fog are all characteristics of different seasons
As I said previously, the specifics may vary from nation to country, but the overall gist of describing the four distinct seasons remains the same.
There are three months for each season, and they comprise a whole year together.
Let’s examine the differences between the seasons and the meanings behind their names.
English Phrases for Each Season
Listed below is the chronological sequence of the four seasons. You may hear how the seasons are spoken in various English-speaking countries by clicking on them below.
A season is a time of year defined by distinct weather patterns, such as ice, wind, sand, and fog. As I said earlier, the specifics of these seasons might vary per nation, but their broad characteristics remain consistent.
There are three months in each season, and they make up a whole year together.
Let’s examine the differences between the seasons and the labels we give them
Learning the English Words for the Changing Seasons
The seasons are shown here in the sequence in which they occur each year. By selecting a season below, you may hear how that name is pronounced in several English-speaking countries.
Just add the preposition in or while to the front of the season name when discussing events in that season. During the winter, you may say, “it snows,” while in the summer, you might add, “my family loves to go swimming at a lake.”
At times, the word time is added after a season. You may talk about the season using phrases like “in the summer” or “in the winter.” On the other hand, you can’t use this in the autumn season. Fall time or autumntime are not acceptable alternatives.
Regarding that, the terms “fall” and “autumn” both refer to the same season (the one between summer and winter). The two terms are equivalent in most contexts and mutually understandable among native English speakers.
While “fall” is often used in the United States, “autumn” is more common in other English-speaking nations like the United Kingdom.
One more point: in English, we don’t capitalize the names of the seasons. On the other hand, the months and days of the week must always be written with a capital letter.
Now that we know the names of each season and how to pronounce them, we can go on to learn how to describe each season in English. Seasonal activities, clothes, and weather terms are all part of the lexicon that has to be mastered.
The seasons as they are experienced in the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, will be the primary emphasis of these descriptions. Keep in mind that places in the Southern Hemisphere, such as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, experience seasons in reverse and may have extremely diverse weather depending on the time of year.
English Phrases for King Regarding Winter
The months of January, February, and March are considered winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Nights are longer in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, with just nine hours of daylight possible in certain regions like Toronto, Canada. People tend to spend more time inside during the winter because of the chilly weather.
Some words and phrases often heard in the colder months are as follows:
Snow is precipitation frozen to the point that it falls as white, fluffy snow. Extreme cold may cause snow to build up and remain for the whole winter season.
Snowman
The definition of a snowman is an artificial human figure sculpted from snow. The traditional method for making a snowman involves rolling three enormous balls of snow and stacking them on top of one another. Stones are often used for the snowman’s eyes and lips, while a carrot serves as the nose. The arms of this snowman are made from branches of a tree.
Snowball
Said snow is rolled into a little spherical and called a snowball. During a snowball battle, they are often used to target other participants. But you must exercise caution! If you hurl a snowball at someone’s face, it might harm them since it contains ice.
Blizzard
A blizzard occurs when heavy snowfall coincides with high winds. Due to visibility issues, they may be very hazardous for motorists. Storms of this kind may linger for days, and when a lot of snow falls, it can cause issues like power outages (the electricity going out).
It’s frozen water. Thus it’s ice. Condensation develops, and the water eventually freezes. The roadways might become dangerously slick, and power lines and tree limbs can be broken.
Icicle
When water drops from a higher surface (like a tree limb) and freezes, the result is an icicle. Carrots are a good analogy for the shape of icicles when they hang upside down. They pose a threat when they break and fall since they might injure someone or damage property (such as a vehicle window).
Cold
The absence of thermal energy causes cold. People are forced to either bundle up or remain indoors as temperatures drop. People may shiver (shake) or even develop frostbite from the chilly weather (body parts freezing and dying). In contrast to the heat, cold is the more extreme of the two extremes.
Freezing
They are using this alternative term for frigid temperatures. Water and other liquids may freeze if the temperature drops below freezing (solidify).
In-line skates or roller skates
Hockey is played mainly on skates and involves the act of skating. People participate by lacing up skates (shoes with a metal blade) and gliding over the frozen water. Many people go to the ice in the colder months to practice their skating skills.
Slope (or Run)
During the colder months, skiers go to the slopes. Skiing entails tying long, flexible planks of material (skis) to one’s feet and using poles for balance and steering (long poles that hold people up and move them forward). Skiing may be practised by coasting down a mountain or trekking through flat terrain.
What to Say About Spring in English
In the Northern Hemisphere, spring occurs in April, May, and June. The spring season is distinguished by the rebirth of vegetation and the weather’s warming. Birds, for example, return to their typical environment, and many hibernating animals emerge from their winter nap (sleep).
What follows is a list of seasonal idioms:
Flower
To put it simply, a flower is a plant that blooms in the spring. It develops from a leafy green stem to a flowering stalk (grows a flower). These blossoms come in a rainbow of hues, and their pollen helps to germinate new blooms elsewhere.
blossom
The actions of flowers are reflected in these two verbs. Whenever a flower opens its petals, it’s called a bloom.
Tulip
Springtime is prime time for the emergence of tulips, a flower. A solitary, large-petaled blossom grows at the plant’s peak. Colors like pink, yellow, and purple are common among tulips.
Tree
The term “tree” is often used to refer to giant plants. A big trunk made of wood is attached to it. Leaves may be seen on the branches that sprout from the main stem. Unlike the evergreen conifers, the deciduous trees shed their leaves in the autumn.
Bunny/rabbit
A rabbit, sometimes a bunny, is a typical springtime mammal. It’s fluffy and tiny, and it lives in burrows in fields. For many, rabbits signify the renewal of life and the revitalization of nature after the long winter.
Butterfly
We classify butterflies as insects. A butterfly emerges from its chrysalis (a tiny casing) after developing from a caterpillar. Butterflies flutter about on their wings, often adorned with vibrant colors and intricate designs.
Seasons in English: How to Discuss Summer
Hot weather and the opportunity to take time off from work or school are two of summer’s most recognizable features. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer consists of July, August, and September. Many individuals take advantage of the summer months to escape their daily routines and enjoy the outdoors by attending barbecues, camping, and other social gatherings.
Here are some phrases often heard this time of year:
Sun
The sun is a star that Earth revolves around (circles). The sun, a huge sphere in the sky, is the source of the planet’s heat. In general, the sun is at its hottest in the summer.
Hot
When the air is quite warm, we say that it is hot. Hot temperatures are the antithesis of those that are chilly. Most individuals prefer to wear shorts and t-shirts when it’s warm out rather than heavier apparel. Extreme heat may cause individuals to perspire, or they may not have enough water with them, and faint if they go outdoors.
Heat
One definition of heat is the experience of warmth. During the summer, this phenomenon often occurs, regardless of whether the sky is explicit or threatening rain.
Heatwave
A heatwave occurs when an area has prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Consequences include increased power use from air conditioning and potential health issues (machines that cool buildings and homes).
Storm
A storm is a kind of severe weather that is unexpected and often unpredictable. Thunder, lightning, and gusty winds are typical components. When the temperature rises, storms usually follow.
Tornado
Tornadoes are a deadly kind of severe weather. Tornadoes are whirlwinds that form in the sky. Storms are a common occasion for tornadoes to form. Homes, buildings, and vehicles in the path of a tornado are at risk of being tossed about and destroyed.
Seasons in English: How to Say Autumn / Fall
The months of October, November, and December make up the autumn season, often known as fall, in the Northern Hemisphere. The season known as fall or autumn is characterized by colder temperatures and changing the leaves on trees. Animals like birds migrate to warmer climes in the months leading up to winter, while others begin their hibernation (sleep) routines.
Here are some phrases and terms often associated with the fall season:
Leaf
When the leaves turn color, it’s usually considered to be the first indication of autumn. The thin, green extension at the end of a tree branch is called a leaf. These may be seen in large numbers, transforming from green to red, orange, and yellow as autumn approaches before finally dropping off the tree in preparation for winter.
Stop everything and go back to class
During the warmer months of June, July, and August, many schools in the Northern Hemisphere give their pupils a vacation. However, classes resume in late August or September. The term “back to school” is often used to describe this time of year.
Harvest
The harvest begins in the autumn after farmers have spent the summer tending their crops. Apples, maize, carrots, and potatoes are only a few examples.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are seasonal fruits that are collected in the autumn. It’s enormous, orange, and in the shape of a circle. It’s a common ornamental component of autumnal celebrations.
Turkey
A turkey is a vast bird often eaten on Thanksgiving and other autumnal festivals. The bird is more significant than a chicken, has a wattle, and has a wide fan of tail feathers (dangling skin from its throat).
Wind
We call it the wind whenever air is in motion at Earth’s surface. This phenomenon reaches its peak intensity in the autumn.
Fog
The moisture that isn’t in the air but on the ground is fog. When it’s dense, it makes it difficult to see what’s in front of you, making driving hazardous.
Using a rake, you may collect all the leaves that have fallen from the trees and dispose of them in one convenient location. They consist of a long pole (often made of wood or plastic) and a fan-shaped end piece (made of metal or plastic) that resembles a giant fork. This component drags around the floor and scrapes up dead leaves.
Sweater
A sweater is an article of clothing often constructed from thick material. Regular features include a hood and long sleeves. You may wear it in the autumn when the weather cools down, but it won’t keep you as toasty as a coat or jacket.
Windbreaker
When the weather is windy, many people wear lightweight coats, known as windbreakers. A windbreaker is supposed to reduce the chilling effects of wind on its user.
Baked apples
Fall is the perfect time to enjoy a slice of apple pie. Sweet as can be, it’s sometimes topped with whipped cream and ice cream. All you need are some apples and cinnamon to make this.
Corn
Corn is a popular autumn crop and vegetable staple. A green husk covers its length (thick leaves). When the husk is removed, you’ll find several tiny, golden kernels that may be cooked and eaten.