Meaning & use
snow day
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A day when schools or businesses are closed because of heavy snow.
Grammar: Countable: you can have one snow day, two snow days, etc.
Patterns
- a snow day
- have a snow day
- declare a snow day
The children were thrilled when the school announced a snow day.
We had three snow days last winter because of the blizzards.
My office rarely gives us a snow day; we just work from home.
nouncountable
A day when snow falls, especially one that is enjoyable or unusual.
Grammar: Often used in a positive or nostalgic way, especially in places where snow is rare.
Patterns
- a snow day
- enjoy a snow day
It was a perfect snow day, so we built a snowman in the park.
For us, any snow day is a special occasion.
Word forms
| plural | snow days |
|---|
Common combinations
- have a snow day
- We had a snow day yesterday, so I stayed in bed all morning.
- declare a snow day
- The mayor declared a snow day for all city schools.
- snow day off
- The kids got a snow day off from school.
- enjoy a snow day
- We enjoyed a snow day by the fire, watching the flakes fall.
Synonyms and how they differ
- snow closure
- More formal and often used in British English for schools or roads closed due to snow.
- snow-in day
- Rare and regional; it means the same but is not widely used.
Word family
- snow noun
- Frozen water vapor that falls from clouds in soft white flakes.
- snowy adjective
- Covered with snow or characterized by snow.
Commonly confused: snow day or snowed in?
snow day vs snowed in
This phrase means unable to leave because of heavy snow, not a day off. You can be snowed in on a snow day, but they are not the same.
Practice
What does 'snow day' mean in the sentence: 'The kids were hoping for a snow day tomorrow'?
Choose one answer.
A snow day specifically means a day off from school or work due to snow, which is why the kids are hoping for it. Option An is too general; option C is not the main meaning; option D is not implied.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “snow day”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.