barometer

Language: en

🇺🇸 /bɜrˈɑmɪtɜr/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure, used especially in forecasting the weather and determining altitude.; Anything that serves as an indicator or gauge of changes in conditions, sentiment, or opinion.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: barometers

Collocations

barometer of public opinionbarometer readingbarometer fallsbarometer risesa reliable barometer

Derivatives

barometricbarometrically

Synonyms

gaugeindicatormeasureyardstickbenchmark

Commonly confused

thermometer
EN: A thermometer measures temperature, while a barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
barometric
EN: 'Barometric' is the adjective form (e.g., barometric pressure); 'barometer' is the noun (the instrument itself).

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the prefix is 'baro-' (from Greek 'baros' meaning weight), not 'barro-'. Also note the '-meter' ending, not '-metre' in American English.

💬 Examples

  1. The barometer showed a sudden drop in pressure, indicating an approaching storm.

  2. Consumer confidence is often seen as a barometer of the overall health of the economy.