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season

/ˈsiː.zən/
IELTSAcademic
noun
  1. 1.

    One of the four parts of the year: spring, summer, autumn, or winter. It is also a time when a type of weather happens often.

    • Spring is my favorite season.
    • Monsoon season starts in June.
    • Winter is the busiest season for shops.
  2. 2.

    A particular period when something happens, grows, or is enjoyed most. This can be a sports time, holiday time, or TV series period.

    • It's mango season now.
    • The new season starts next week.
    • Football season is very exciting.
verb

To add salt, pepper, or spices to food. It can also mean to make something suitable or ready for use.

  • Season the soup with salt.
  • She seasoned the chicken well.
  • Let the pan season before cooking.

Adinary Nuance

Season is broader than a simple weather word. For the year, it means a natural part of the calendar, like summer or winter. For events, it means a recurring period, such as cricket season or mango season, not just any time. In cooking, season means to add salt or spices, so it is very different from the noun meaning.

In other languages

Vietnamese
mùa
Spanish
estación
Chinese
季节
Japanese
季節
Korean
계절

Etymology

Season came into English from Old French in the Middle Ages. It goes back to Latin word roots meaning 'a proper time' or 'a fitting time'.

Common phrases

the rainy seasonpeak seasonoff-seasonseason the food

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is season a countable noun?
Yes. You can say one season, two seasons, or the season.
What is the difference between season and weather?
Weather changes day to day. A season is a longer period with similar weather.
Can season be used for sports?
Yes. A sports season is the official time when matches are played.
Does season mean to add spices?
Yes. As a verb, season means to add salt, pepper, or spices to food.