supermoon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumInformal, journalistic, popular science
Quick answer
What does “supermoon” mean?
A full moon or new moon that coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A full moon or new moon that coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.
A phenomenon with cultural, spiritual, or aesthetic significance; often associated with heightened natural events, emotional intensity, or media spectacle in popular culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical; term is equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK tabloid headlines; US usage often ties to astrology or 'event' reporting.
Frequency
Peaks in usage during actual supermoon events, otherwise rare.
Grammar
How to Use “supermoon” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] supermoon [VERB] over the [PLACE].A supermoon occurs when [CLAUSE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supermoon” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The supermoon was a magnificent sight over the Yorkshire Dales.
- We're in for a series of supermoons this autumn.
American English
- The supermoon looked incredible over the Grand Canyon.
- This month's supermoon is the closest one of the year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except for tourism or event marketing (e.g., 'supermoon viewing party').
Academic
Used informally in astronomy outreach; formal papers prefer 'perigee full moon'.
Everyday
Common in news headlines and social media posts about the event.
Technical
Avoided in precise astronomy; used in meteorology for tide predictions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supermoon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supermoon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supermoon”
- Using 'supermoon' for any full moon that looks large due to the Moon illusion.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (except at start of sentence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 3-4 times per year, though their perceived size and brightness can vary.
To the naked eye, the difference in size from an average full moon is subtle (about 7% larger in diameter and 15% brighter), but the visual effect can be striking when seen near the horizon.
No. While a supermoon's gravitational pull can lead to slightly higher 'perigean spring tides', there is no scientific evidence linking it to earthquakes or other disasters.
A micromoon, which is a full or new moon near apogee (its farthest point from Earth).
A full moon or new moon that coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.
Supermoon is usually informal, journalistic, popular science in register.
Supermoon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəmuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpɚmuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Once in a blue supermoon (an extremely rare event)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUPERmoon = moon at its SUPremely closest point, making it look SUPER big.
Conceptual Metaphor
CELESTIAL EVENT AS SPECTACLE (e.g., 'The sky's grand show').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct statement about a supermoon?