skies: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “skies” mean?
The plural form of 'sky', referring to the upper atmosphere or heavens visible from Earth, often indicating multiple sky regions or conditions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'sky', referring to the upper atmosphere or heavens visible from Earth, often indicating multiple sky regions or conditions.
Used figuratively to refer to conditions, prospects, or the general atmosphere in various contexts (e.g., political skies, economic skies). Also used in names of regions (e.g., Northern Skies).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Skies' is standard plural in both. The figurative use ('skies are clearing' for improving prospects) is equally common.
Connotations
Slightly more poetic/literary in general use; neutral in meteorological contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK weather reporting due to more variable conditions being discussed.
Grammar
How to Use “skies” in a Sentence
the + ADJECTIVE + skiesunder + POSSESSIVE + skiesskies + VERB (darken, clear, threaten)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skies” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If it skies over later, we'll cancel the garden party.
- The forecast predicts it will sky up by noon.
American English
- It's starting to sky up; we should head inside.
- It often skies over before a thunderstorm here.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The economic skies are beginning to clear after the recession." Used metaphorically for market conditions.
Academic
"The study observed migratory patterns under different nocturnal skies." Common in geography, environmental science.
Everyday
"We're hoping for clear skies for the picnic on Saturday." Primarily used for weather.
Technical
"The pilot reported clear skies at cruising altitude." Standard in aviation and meteorology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skies”
- Using 'skies' as a singular countable noun in everyday contexts (e.g., 'Look at the beautiful skies!' when referring to one sky).
- Confusing 'sky' (singular) and 'skies' (plural/formal) in set phrases: 'blue sky thinking' vs. 'blue skies'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but this is poetic, formal, or literary (e.g., 'beneath sunny skies'). In everyday speech, use 'sky' for singular.
'Sky' is neutral; 'heavens' is more literary, archaic, or religious. 'Skies' can be interchangeable with 'heavens' in poetic contexts.
Rarely. 'Sky' is usually uncountable. You might say 'a sky' only when contrasting types (e.g., 'a cloudless sky'). More often, it's 'the sky' or 'skies'.
It's a conventional plural, possibly originating from referring to the sky in different regions or as a mass noun with plural form. It's standard in meteorological terminology.
The plural form of 'sky', referring to the upper atmosphere or heavens visible from Earth, often indicating multiple sky regions or conditions.
Skies is usually neutral to formal in register.
Skies: in British English it is pronounced /skaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /skaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “praise to the skies (praise highly)”
- “the sky's the limit (no upper bound)”
- “pie in the sky (unrealistic hope)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'skies' has an 's' for 'several' or 'stretches' of sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SKY IS A COVER/CANOPY (under sunny skies); THE SKY IS A DOMAIN OF CONDITIONS (political skies); THE SKY IS A LIMIT/BOUNDARY (the sky's the limit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'skies' MOST likely metaphorical?