snow

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a
: precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less than 32°F (0°C)
b(1)
: a descent or shower of snow crystals
(2)
: a mass of fallen snow crystals
2
: something resembling snow: such as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp
apple snow
b
: a usually white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does
ammonia snow
c slang
(1)
(2)
: heroin
d
: small transient light or dark spots on a television screen
snowless adjective

snow

2 of 2

verb

snowed; snowing; snows

intransitive verb

: to fall in or as snow

transitive verb

1
: to cause to fall like or as snow
2
a
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
b
: to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly
3
: to whiten like snow

Examples of snow in a Sentence

Noun Snow fell softly on the town. The mountains were blanketed with snow. She took a walk in the snow. We haven't had much snow this year. She went out to shovel the snow. Soon the warm spring sun will melt the winter snows. the snows of the Rocky Mountains A light snow was falling. Verb easily snowed by her glib talk the years had snowed his hair to a silvery white, making it difficult at first to recognize her old high school crush
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Sundance Film Festival may kick the snow off its boots once and for all. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024 Animals move a lot like animals, clouds cast shadows, and snow falls more or less to expectations. Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 The full waterproof raincoat offers more coverage than any other jacket on our list, protecting your pup’s back, legs, head, and chest from rain and snow. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024 The money will be used to raise parts of the road and lay down pavement better suited to withstanding flooding, snow, and ice. Justine Calma, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024 Floods began after Europe’s third-longest river, the Ural, was swelled by snow melt, bursting its banks and causing a deluge in dozens of towns and cities along the border. Rob Picheta, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024 Jackson was making some last-minute deliveries before a winter storm that brought snow and ice to North Texas the day after the deadly assault. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024 And the best way to clear a driveway piled with snow is to hire some neighborhood ragamuffins with snow shovels, pay them some cash, and give them a belt of hot chocolate. Steven Levy, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024 The hotel also features fitness class studios, a semi-Olympic pool, and a spa with saunas, steam rooms, and a snow shower. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
What is amazing about this case is how many people got snowed. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024 In the trailer, Rabe can be seen partying with Hudgens at the town’s local bar Hugo’s, asking Harris for guidance, and getting snowed into her car in North Dakota’s harsh winters. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024 The opposite could occur in Nebraska, where Sunday rain could morph into an icy mix and eventually snow on Monday. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 In the mountains, it’s expected to snow 1 to 2 inches in elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, with 2 to 5 inches in elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and 5 to 10 inches above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on. Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024 In addition to the heavy rain, it is forecast to snow 1-2 feet in the Sierras and 1-3 inches on Mount Shasta. Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 Snow depth determines the depth of the new and old snowing remaining on the ground at observation time. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2024 By about 7 or 8 p.m. Thursday, it is expected to begin snowing again in metro Detroit and by Friday morning there could be another 2-3 inches, potentially more in the state’s Thumb. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English snāw; akin to Old High German snēo snow, Latin niv-, nix, Greek nipha (accusative)

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of snow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near snow

Cite this Entry

“Snow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

snow

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air
b
: a fall of snow crystals : a mass of snow crystals that have fallen to earth
2
: something resembling snow: as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten egg whites, sugar, and fruit
pineapple snow
b
slang : cocaine

snow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to fall or cause to fall in or as snow
it had been snowing all day
2
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
we were snowed in for two days
the desk was snowed under by papers
3
: to deceive, persuade, or charm with insincere or flattering talk
couldn't snow her with his compliments

Medical Definition

snow

noun
1
: any of various congealed or crystallized substances resembling snow in appearance
carbon dioxide snow
2
slang
a
b
: heroin

Biographical Definition

Snow

biographical name

C(harles) P(ercy) 1905–1980 Baron Snow English novelist and physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on snow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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