winter
winter — noun
1. the coldest time of the year, coming after autumn and before spring, when temper
the coldest time of the year, coming after autumn and before spring, when temperatures drop and the days are short
Mateo loves skiing, so he looks forward to winter every year.
look forward to + winter as anticipated season
Last winter was so harsh that the pipes in Tran's house froze solid.
harsh winter collocation; result clause
Many birds fly to warmer places before the winter months arrive.
The village shop closes early during the winter because it gets dark by four.
- wintertime
more literary or nostalgic; refers to the period as a whole rather than the season as a calendar concept
- cold season
descriptive rather than a true synonym; used in regions without four distinct seasons
- summer
the warmest season, opposite in climate and day length
常見錯誤
winter — verb
1. to remain in a particular location during the coldest months of the year, especi
to remain in a particular location during the coldest months of the year, especially referring to migrating birds that stay in a region rather than moving further
These swans usually winter in the wetlands along the Mississippi River.
winter in + location (place phrase after verb)
Amira's family winters in Arizona every year to avoid the northern snow.
winter in + location for human travel; present simple for annual habit
Thousands of monarch butterflies winter among the oyamel fir trees in Mexico.
Some elderly residents from Maine choose to winter in Florida for health reasons.
- overwinter
more technical, used mainly in biology and agriculture
文法句型
winter + in/at/on [place]
winter + [location phrase]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a migrating animal species or a person who regularly spends the cold season elsewhere. The verb requires a location phrase—'The birds winter' is incomplete without a place complement.
winter — adjective
1. designed, intended, or typical for use during the coldest months of the year, co
designed, intended, or typical for use during the coldest months of the year, covering clothing, sports, weather conditions, and seasonal activities
Tariq bought a thick winter coat before his trip to Hokkaido.
winter coat — common item collocation
The school requires all students to wear winter boots when snow covers the playground.
winter boots; when-clause for condition
Christopher prefers winter sports like ice skating over summer activities at the beach.
The garden looks bare in winter sunlight, but the spring bulbs are planted underneath.
- summer
designed or suitable for the warmest season
文法句型
winter + noun (attributive)
用法筆記
This adjective is used only before a noun (attributive position). You cannot say 'This coat is winter' — instead use 'This is a winter coat' or 'This coat is for winter.'
常見錯誤
2. describing a plant or crop that is planted in autumn and grows during the cold m
describing a plant or crop that is planted in autumn and grows during the cold months, ready to be gathered in early spring or early summer of the following year
Farmers in Kansas plant winter wheat in October and harvest it the following July.
winter wheat — most common winter crop; specific timing contrast
The region is known for its winter barley, which survives the frost under a blanket of snow.
winter barley — less common crop; survives frost
Min's grandfather grew winter rye on his small farm near Seoul every year.
Many European farmers rotate winter wheat with summer crops to keep the soil healthy.
- spring
describes crops planted in spring and harvested in the same growing season
文法句型
winter + [crop name]
用法筆記
Restricted to a small set of agricultural terms — 'winter wheat', 'winter barley', 'winter rye', 'winter oats'. Does not apply to vegetables or garden plants; a 'winter tomato' would be a tomato grown in a greenhouse, not an autumn-sown crop.