weatherman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, journalistic; slightly dated but still widely understood. 'Meteorologist' is the formal professional term.
Quick answer
What does “weatherman” mean?
A person, especially on television or radio, who reports and forecasts the weather.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, especially on television or radio, who reports and forecasts the weather.
A meteorologist who presents weather information to the public through media; colloquially, any person who discusses or predicts weather conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the UK more frequently uses 'weather presenter' or 'forecaster' in formal broadcasting. The US more commonly retains 'weatherman' in casual speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can sound slightly informal or old-fashioned. In the UK, it may evoke the classic BBC regional forecaster. In the US, it often refers to the local TV personality.
Frequency
More frequent in American English media and everyday speech. UK media style guides often recommend gender-neutral alternatives.
Grammar
How to Use “weatherman” in a Sentence
The weatherman + V (reported, warned, forecast)According to the weatherman + clauseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weatherman” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The weatherman warned of heavy gales coming in from the Atlantic.
- He's been the regional weatherman for twenty years.
American English
- The weatherman said we could get six inches of snow overnight.
- Our local weatherman is a bit of a celebrity in town.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in media business contexts discussing on-air talent.
Academic
Rare; 'meteorologist' or 'climatologist' are used.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about TV, radio, or weather predictions.
Technical
Not used; 'operational meteorologist' or 'broadcast meteorologist' are technical terms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weatherman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weatherman”
- Using 'weatherman' to refer to a scientist researching climate change (they are a climatologist).
- Using 'weatherman' in formal writing where 'meteorologist' is appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historically masculine. Terms like 'weather presenter', 'forecaster', or 'meteorologist' are gender-neutral and preferred in modern usage.
A meteorologist is the scientific profession; a weatherman is typically a meteorologist (or presenter trained in meteorology) who communicates forecasts through media.
It is grammatically possible but often considered incongruous or dated. 'Weatherwoman' is rarely used; gender-neutral terms are standard.
Not obsolete, but its use is declining in official media contexts due to the push for gender-neutral language. It remains common in informal, conversational English.
A person, especially on television or radio, who reports and forecasts the weather.
Weatherman is usually informal, journalistic; slightly dated but still widely understood. 'meteorologist' is the formal professional term. in register.
Weatherman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈweð.ə.mæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈweð.ɚ.mæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't shoot the weatherman (don't blame the messenger for bad news)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAN standing in front of a WEATHER map.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEATHER PRESENTER IS A GUIDE (through the uncertainty of weather).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most appropriate for a formal scientific report?