aeolian
/iːˈəʊ.li.ən/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Aeolian means caused by the wind, especially when talking about land, rocks, sand, or soil. It is also used for the Aeolian harp, which makes sound when the wind passes over it.
- Aeolian sand shapes the desert dunes.
- The museum displayed an old Aeolian harp.
Adinary Nuance
Aeolian is more specific than windy or wind-blown. It is used in scientific, geographic, or literary writing, not in everyday speech. Writers choose it when they want a formal word for something shaped or moved by wind.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- do gió tạo ra
- Spanish
- eólico
- Chinese
- 风成的
- Japanese
- 風成の
- Korean
- 풍성의
Etymology
Aeolian comes from Aeolus, the Greek god of the winds. English has used the word since the 19th century, especially in science and poetry.
Common phrases
Aeolian processesAeolian sandAeolian landformsAeolian harp
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is aeolian a common everyday word?
- No, it is uncommon in daily speech. You usually see it in geography, geology, or literature.
- What is the difference between aeolian and windy?
- Windy describes weather. Aeolian describes something made, shaped, or moved by wind.
- Can I use aeolian in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a good formal word in geography, geology, and environmental science.