thermal
/ˈθɜː.məl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Relating to heat or to things that produce, keep, or use heat. It is often used in science, engineering, and weather contexts.
- Thermal energy comes from heat.
- She wore a thermal jacket in winter.
- The building has thermal insulation.
Adinary Nuance
Thermal is more technical than 'hot' and more specific than 'warm'. Writers use it for heat as a physical property, not just a feeling. It often appears in science, weather, clothing, and building design.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nhiệt
- Spanish
- térmico
- Chinese
- 热的
- Japanese
- 熱の
- Korean
- 열의
Etymology
Thermal comes from Greek 'thermos', meaning 'hot'. It entered English through French in the 19th century, especially in scientific use.
Common phrases
thermal energythermal insulationthermal clothesthermal imaging
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is thermal a formal word?
- Yes, it is common in formal and academic writing. People also use it in everyday phrases like thermal clothes.
- What is the difference between thermal and hot?
- Hot is general and everyday. Thermal is more technical and means related to heat.
- Can I use thermal for clothing?
- Yes. Thermal clothing keeps the body warm by trapping heat.
- Is thermal used in science?
- Yes. It is very common in physics, engineering, and weather science.