barometer
B2Formal to neutral. More formal in its literal sense; common in metaphorical usage in journalism and analysis.
Definition
Meaning
An instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used in weather forecasting.
A person, event, or thing used to measure, gauge, or indicate changes in a particular situation, mood, or trend, especially in social, political, or economic contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a strong metaphorical extension from its original scientific meaning. The metaphorical sense is now more common than the literal one in general discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use literal and figurative senses identically.
Connotations
Neutral in both. The metaphorical sense implies a reliable, measurable indicator of change.
Frequency
The metaphorical sense is highly frequent in political and economic journalism in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] a barometer of [abstract noun] (e.g., mood, sentiment)[serve/act] as a barometer for [abstract noun]The [noun] is a barometer for [situation]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A barometer of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Consumer confidence is a key barometer for the health of the retail sector."
Academic
"Voter turnout can be used as a barometer of political engagement in a democracy."
Everyday
"My grandmother's antique barometer still hangs in the hallway."
Technical
"The aneroid barometer uses a small, flexible metal box called a capsule to detect pressure changes."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard; the verb form is extremely rare and non-standard. Use 'measure', 'gauge', or 'barometrise' in highly technical contexts only.)
American English
- (Not standard; the verb form is extremely rare and non-standard. Use 'measure', 'gauge'.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'barometrically', but it is highly technical and rare.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- barometric pressure
- barometric readings
American English
- barometric pressure
- barometric data
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The weather forecast uses a barometer.
- The barometer shows rain is coming.
- A falling barometer often means stormy weather.
- The election is a barometer for the country's future.
- Economists view housing starts as a reliable barometer of economic activity.
- The manager used team morale as a barometer for the project's health.
- The novel serves as a perceptive barometer of the social anxieties prevalent in the fin de siècle period.
- Fluctuations in the bond market are a sensitive barometer of investor confidence in government fiscal policy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BARO (pressure) + METER (measure) = a measure of pressure. For the figurative sense: 'The BAR is a METER for public opinion' – a place where you can measure the mood.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOVEMENT IN PRESSURE / A SITUATION IS A WEATHER SYSTEM (e.g., 'political pressure', 'storm of controversy', 'climate of fear').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'барометр' – this is a direct translation and correct for the literal meaning. The trap is underusing the powerful metaphorical sense, which is identical in English and Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'barometer' for a device measuring anything other than atmospheric pressure in its literal sense (e.g., a thermometer measures temperature). Confusing 'barometer' with 'thermometer' in metaphorical use (a thermometer measures intensity/level, a barometer measures change/pressure).
Practice
Quiz
In its most common metaphorical usage, what does a 'barometer' primarily indicate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its original and literal meaning is a weather instrument, its most frequent use in modern English is metaphorical, meaning a gauge or indicator of changes in non-physical contexts like politics, economics, or society.
A 'thermometer' metaphorically measures the level or intensity of something (e.g., 'a thermometer of public anger'). A 'barometer' metaphorically measures the pressure causing change or predicts coming changes (e.g., 'a barometer of political sentiment').
Standard dictionaries do not list 'barometer' as a verb. The standard verbs are 'to gauge', 'to measure', or 'to act as a barometer for'. The adjective 'barometric' is commonly used.
It is neutral to formal. It is very common in analytical writing, journalism, and academic contexts. It would sound slightly formal in casual conversation, where 'sign' or 'indicator' might be used instead.