saint martin's summer
C1/C2Literary, historical, regional (chiefly British), journalistic (in weather contexts).
Definition
Meaning
A period of unseasonably warm, dry weather occurring in late autumn, typically in early to mid-November.
Used metaphorically to describe a late period of happiness, success, or vitality before decline, stagnation, or old age.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to warm weather around St. Martin's Day (November 11). The American equivalent 'Indian summer' is more common and can occur earlier (September-October). The term often carries a nostalgic, poetic, or ephemeral connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly British; 'Indian summer' is the standard term in American English for any unseasonably warm autumn period.
Connotations
In British use, it has stronger historical and Christian associations (St. Martin of Tours). American 'Indian summer' lacks the saintly reference and may have contested folk etymologies.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary American English, except in historical or literary contexts. Moderate-to-low frequency in British English, mostly in older texts, regional speech, or deliberate stylistic choice.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We are having a saint martin's summer.The saint martin's summer of 2023 was exceptionally long.It felt like a saint martin's summer.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A saint martin's summer of his career (metaphorical use).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or cultural studies discussing weather lore, saints' days, or regional dialects.
Everyday
Used informally in weather conversation, primarily by older generations or in specific UK regions.
Technical
Rare in meteorology, which prefers terms like 'late-season warming event'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is warm today. It is like saint martin's summer.
- We were lucky to have a saint martin's summer during our holiday in Cornwall.
- The diplomat's successful negotiations represented a saint martin's summer for his otherwise faltering career.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember St. Martin's Day is November 11th. The warm weather around that saint's day gives us 'Saint Martin's summer'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTUMN WARMTH IS A GRACIOUS GIFT / LATE SUCCESS IS A BONUS SUMMER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'лето святого Мартина'. The Russian equivalent is 'бабье лето', which is translated as 'Indian summer'. Using the saint's name would sound foreign and overly specific.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'St. Marten's summer'.
- Using it to describe any warm day in autumn, rather than specifically in November.
- Confusing it with 'Indian summer' without noting the regional/timing nuance.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'saint martin's summer'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Saint martin's summer' is a British term specifically for warm weather around St. Martin's Day (November 11). 'Indian summer' is the more common American term and can refer to warm spells in late September or October, though it is now used interchangeably by many in the UK.
It is not common in everyday American English. In British English, it is considered somewhat literary, old-fashioned, or regional, though it is still understood and used, particularly in weather reports and by older speakers.
Yes, it is often used to describe a late period of success, happiness, or productivity, e.g., 'The veteran actor experienced a saint martin's summer of critical acclaim.'
It is named after St. Martin of Tours, whose feast day is November 11. The warm weather was traditionally associated with this date in Western European folklore.