meltemi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / C2+Technical / Literary / Regional
Quick answer
What does “meltemi” mean?
A strong, dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea in summer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strong, dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea in summer.
Any strong seasonal wind in the Mediterranean region, specifically the Etesian winds. In broader or figurative use, it can signify a sudden, forceful, and refreshing change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to closer cultural and geographic ties to Greece and the Mediterranean.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of the Mediterranean, sailing, heat, and seasonal weather patterns.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, with a negligible edge in British publications.
Grammar
How to Use “meltemi” in a Sentence
The [meltemi] [verb: blows, gusts, howls, eases] [prepositional phrase: across the islands, from the north, in July].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meltemi” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The weather front will cause the wind to meltemi across the Cyclades by tomorrow.
American English
- It started to meltemi just as we were setting sail from Mykonos.
adverb
British English
- The flags were flying meltemi, stretched out rigidly to the south.
American English
- [Virtually never used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- We sought shelter from the meltemi gusts in a secluded harbour.
American English
- The ferry schedule was disrupted due to meltemi conditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential only in very specific contexts like tourism marketing for Greek islands.
Academic
Used in papers on Mediterranean climatology, geography, or ancient history (referencing Etesian winds).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by sailors, meteorologists, or well-travelled individuals discussing Greek holidays.
Technical
Standard term in meteorology and sailing guides for the Aegean region.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meltemi”
- Mispronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (MEL-te-mi). Correct stress is on the second: mel-TE-mi.
- Using it as a general term for any wind.
- Misspelling as 'meltimi' or 'meltemia'.
- Using it in contexts unrelated to the Mediterranean.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a loanword fully naturalised in English, though it remains a low-frequency, specialist term found in dictionaries.
They are essentially synonyms. 'Etesian' (from Greek 'etesios' meaning 'annual') is the broader, more formal/climatological term for the recurring summer northerlies. 'Meltemi' (from Turkish 'meltem') is the specific, regional name for these winds in the Aegean area.
Only if you are speaking to someone familiar with Mediterranean weather or sailing. For general audiences, 'a strong north/northerly wind in Greece' is much clearer.
It is pronounced /mɛlˈtɛmi/, with the primary stress on the second syllable: mel-TE-mi.
A strong, dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea in summer.
Meltemi is usually technical / literary / regional in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None commonly associated. Potential creative use: 'a meltemi of change' to imply a forceful refreshment.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MELT the hot day with a TEMI' (pronounced 'temp') – a cool wind that tempers the Mediterranean heat.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MELTEMI IS A FORCEFUL CLEANSER / REFRESHER (clearing haze, bringing relief).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'meltemi' most appropriately used?