snowy

UK: ˈsnəʊi | US: ˈsnoʊi

Definition

  1. adj. covered with or resembling snow

  2. adj. (of weather or a period) characterized by snowfall

  3. adj. (figuratively) pure, white, or spotless

Structure
snow <frozen precipitation>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "snowy" combines the Old English root "snāw" (snow) with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives meaning "full of" or "resembling." The term has retained its literal meaning (related to snow) while also gaining figurative uses (e.g., "snowy white" for purity). The suffix "-y" is a productive morpheme in English, often added to nouns to describe qualities (e.g., "cloudy," "sunny").

Examples

  1. The mountainous region is snowy for most of the year.

  2. She wore a snowy white dress to the ceremony.

  3. The weather forecast predicts a snowy weekend ahead.

  4. His hair turned snowy as he aged.

  5. The owl's feathers were a beautiful snowy color.