barometer

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An instrument that measures air pressure, used to help predict changes in the weather.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use a barometer or barometers. Often used with verbs like check, read, or fall.

   Patterns

   • a barometer falls/rises
   • check the barometer
   • read the barometer

   The barometer is falling, so a storm may be coming.

   Sailors used a barometer to forecast the weather.

   A sudden drop in the barometer often means wind and rain.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   Something that shows or predicts changes in a situation, especially public opinion.

   Grammar: Often used figuratively with of: a barometer of public mood.

   Patterns

   • a barometer of something
   • a good barometer of something

   The election results are a barometer of public dissatisfaction.

   Retail sales are often seen as a barometer of the economy.

   Her reaction was a barometer of how the team felt.

Word forms

Common combinations

barometer reading

The barometer reading showed a rapid drop in pressure.

a barometer of public opinion

The newspaper is a barometer of public opinion.

the barometer is falling

The barometer is falling, so we should expect rain.

economic barometer

Housing starts are an economic barometer.

Synonyms and how they differ

indicator

Indicator is a general word for something that shows a condition; barometer is more figurative and suggests forecasting change.

gauge

Gauge is an instrument for measuring, often literal; barometer is specifically for air pressure or figurative prediction.

Word family

barometric adjective

Relating to atmospheric pressure or a barometer.

barometrically adverb

In a way that relates to a barometer or air pressure.

Commonly confused: barometer or thermometer? barometer or barometer?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “barometer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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