FluencyCraft

weathered

"Weathered" is a versatile word with a few closely related but distinct meanings. It can describe how something looks after years of exposure to the elements, or it can describe surviving something difficult. Here are the most common senses.

1adjectiveworn by the elements

When something has been outside for a long time — exposed to sun, rain, wind, and cold — it starts to look old, rough, or faded. That worn-out appearance is what 'weathered' describes. Think of an old wooden fence that has turned grey and cracked after years in the rain and sun.

everyday language, nature, description · Modern, widely used

The weathered barn had not been painted in decades, and its wood had turned a silvery grey.

She picked up a weathered piece of driftwood from the beach.

His weathered boots told the story of many long hikes.

2adjectiveaged and lined (of a face or skin)

When used to describe a person's face or skin, 'weathered' means it looks rough, tanned, and lined — the way skin looks after years of working outdoors in the sun and wind. It is not an insult; it often suggests a life of hard work and experience.

everyday language, description · Modern, widely used

The old fisherman had a deeply weathered face from decades at sea.

Her weathered hands showed how hard she had worked on the farm.

He had the weathered look of someone who had spent his whole life outdoors.

3verbfigurativeto survive something difficult

When you 'weather' a difficult situation, you get through it successfully — even though it was hard. It is like a ship that survives a storm. You use this sense when talking about challenges, crises, or tough times that someone managed to endure.

everyday language, business, general · Modern, widely used · figurative

The company weathered the economic crisis and came out stronger.

She weathered many personal setbacks before finally achieving her goal.

The team weathered a difficult first half and went on to win the match.

4verbto be worn or changed by the elements

As a verb, 'weathered' (past tense of 'to weather') can describe the physical process of something being slowly changed by exposure to sun, rain, or wind. The subject is the object being worn down — not a person surviving something.

everyday language, geology, nature · Modern, widely used

The stone steps had weathered over centuries, becoming smooth and uneven.

The paint on the old house had weathered badly and was peeling off.

The cliff face had weathered into strange and beautiful shapes.

Content generated by AI — may contain inaccuracies