season
B1Formal, Informal, Technical (culinary, materials)
Definition
Meaning
One of the four distinct periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter), characterized by particular weather patterns and daylight hours.
A period of the year associated with a particular activity, event, or phenomenon, or a suitable or proper time for something. Also, to add salt, herbs, etc., to food to improve its flavor, or to make wood or other material more durable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges the concrete (weather periods) and the abstract (appropriate times). As a verb, its culinary and materials senses are metaphorically linked to preparation and ripening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'Autumn' is more common in UK English; 'Fall' is the standard term for that season in US English. In culinary contexts, usage is identical.
Connotations
In sports, 'season' is heavily used in both varieties but the sports referenced differ (e.g., football season vs. soccer season).
Frequency
Both noun and verb are extremely high frequency with no significant variation between varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP season for NP (a season for planting)NP season of NP (a season of change)V season NP with NP (season the meat with pepper)NP be seasoned (the wood is well seasoned)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in season”
- “out of season”
- “season's greetings”
- “open season (on someone/something)”
- “to everything there is a season”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to cyclical sales periods (e.g., 'Q4 is our strongest season').
Academic
Used in climatology, ecology, and literary studies (e.g., 'the Romantic season').
Everyday
Primarily for weather, holidays, and sports (e.g., 'I love the autumn season').
Technical
In cooking: to add flavor. In woodworking: to dry timber. In TV: a set of episodes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Season the lamb well before roasting.
- The timber needs to be seasoned for a year.
American English
- Don't forget to season the chicken with paprika.
- This lumber is properly seasoned and won't warp.
adjective
British English
- We bought season tickets for the theatre.
American English
- The season finale of the show is next week.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My favourite season is summer.
- The football season starts in August.
- Strawberries are cheaper when they are in season.
- The holiday season is always very busy.
- The company hires extra staff during the peak tourist season.
- As a seasoned traveller, she knew exactly what to pack.
- The political landscape entered a new season of reform and uncertainty.
- The chef meticulously seasoned each layer of the dish to achieve a perfect balance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
S-E-A-S-O-N: Suitable Events Arrive Slowly Over Nature's calendar.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (The seasons turn). LIFE IS A YEAR (The season of one's life). PREPARATION IS RIPENING (Seasoned wood, a seasoned professional).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'seasoning' (приправа) when 'season' is used as a noun meaning время года. The Russian 'сезон' is a direct cognate for the noun, but the verb 'season' (сдобрить, приправлять) is different.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I season the soup by salt.' Correct: 'I season the soup with salt.'
- Incorrect: 'What is your favourite season of the year?' (redundant). Correct: 'What is your favourite season?'
Practice
Quiz
In the context of woodworking, what does it mean to 'season' timber?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has multiple meanings. It can refer to a period for a specific activity (sports season), to add flavor to food, or to treat materials like wood.
'Season' is the base noun (time of year) and verb (to flavor). 'Seasoning' is a noun derived from the verb, meaning herbs, spices, or salt used to flavor food.
Yes, metaphorically. A 'seasoned professional' is someone with extensive experience, as if matured or prepared over time.
'Autumn' is the standard and almost universally used term in British English. 'Fall' is understood but identified as American.
Collections
Part of a collection
Weather
A2 · 45 words · Describing the weather, climate and seasons.