winter
Pluralwinters
Verbwinters, wintering, wintered
Pluralwinters
Formswinters, wintering, wintered
- 1The coldest season of the year, when days are short and the weather is cold.
Like the coldest, quietest stretch of the year, when many trees lose their leaves and things slow down.
We always get a lot of snow in winter.
Winter is my favorite time of year for skiing.
UsageSay in winter, but last winter (not
incorrect: in last winter).Oppositesummer
Note
- 2To stay somewhere through the cold months of the year.
Like birds flying somewhere warm to wait out the cold.
Many birds winter in warmer countries far to the south.
We usually winter near the coast where it stays mild.
UsageSay birds winter in the south.
Similaroverwinter
Oppositesummer
Note
- 3To keep animals or plants somewhere safe and warm through the cold season.
Like bringing your plants indoors so the cold doesn't kill them.
Farmers winter their sheep in barns to keep them safe from frost.
We winter the bees in a sheltered shed each year.
UsageSay winter plants indoors.
Similaroverwinter, shelter
Less common meanings
- 4A time of old age or decline, when a life, a friendship or a period is coming to an end.
Like the last hours of a long day, when the light fades and everything grows quiet.
He had reached the winter of his life and rarely left home.
In the winter of her years, she found quiet comfort in old memories.
UsageSay the winter of his life.
Similartwilight, decline, dusk
Note
- 5The wet, rainy time of the year in some warm parts of the world.
Note that the Citie of Goa is the principall place of all the Oriental India, and the winter thus beginneth the 15 of May, with very great raine.
1584, Barret, in Hakl. ii. 413Here, winter means the wet, rainy season of the year.Note
- 6A metal stand placed at the front of a fire to keep a kettle warm.
Note
- 7A person with cool, strong coloring, often dark hair and eyes, who is thought to look best in cool, bold colors.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English "winter," from older Germanic words meaning "winter."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- English winter derives from Old English winter. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English winter derives from older Germanic words meaning winter. en.wiktionary.org