snowy
gb/snˈoʊi/ us/snˈoʊi/
A2
English
~ 7200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
covered with or full of snow
Having snow on it, or with snow falling, usually talking about the weather or a place.
Usage pattern:
snowy [day/place/landscape]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"it is snow"* instead of *"it is snowy" when talking about the weather. Use *snowy* as an adjective before a noun or after *be*: *It is snowy today* or *We had a snowy day.*
Synonyms
snow-covered (More literal and descriptive; focuses only on something having snow on its surface, not on the weather itself.)
Antonyms
snow-free (Emphasizes the complete lack of snow on the ground or in an area.)
Collocations
snowy day
|snowy night
|snowy mountain
|snowy road
|snowy winter
|snowy landscape
Themes
weather
|nature
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We woke up to a snowy morning and canceled the trip.
- The kids spent all afternoon playing on the snowy hill behind the house.
- Driving on snowy roads can be very dangerous if you are not careful.
- The village looks especially beautiful in the snowy winter months.
- It was such a cold, snowy night that hardly anyone went outside.
Learner examples
- It is a snowy day, so the school is closed.
- The park is quiet and snowy in January.
- We made a snowman on the snowy field.
- I do not like to drive on snowy streets.
- The city looks white and snowy in winter.
adjective
B2
property
2
pure white in color like snow
Very, very white, like clean snow.
Usage pattern:
snowy [hair/fabric/surface]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *snowy* here always means that something has real snow on it. In this sense, *snowy* only means *very white in color*, not actually covered in snow.
Synonyms
snow-white (A slightly more fixed and literary expression, often used for emphasis or in descriptions.)
Antonyms
black (Represents the opposite end of the color range from very white.)
Collocations
snowy hair
|snowy beard
|snowy sheets
|snowy dress
|snowy feathers
Themes
appearance
|color
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The old man’s snowy beard reached down to his chest.
- She wore a simple, snowy dress that stood out against the dark room.
- A line of snowy plates was set neatly along the counter.
- His snowy hair made him look older than he really was.
- The bird’s snowy feathers blended perfectly with the ice.
Learner examples
- Her hair is snowy and soft.
- The hotel gave us snowy white towels.
- He has a long, snowy beard.
- The bed had snowy sheets on it.
- The cat’s fur is snowy and clean.
adjective
B1
property
3
having winters with much snow
Having a lot of snow in a place or season, especially every winter.
Usage pattern:
snowy [region/climate/winter]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse talking about one snowy day with describing a *snowy region* or *snowy climate*. Use this sense when snow is normal or regular in that place or season, not just on one day.
Synonyms
wintry (Broader; suggests cold winter weather in general, not only snow.)
Antonyms
mild (Describes a climate or winter with little cold or snow.)
Collocations
snowy climate
|snowy region
|snowy winters
|snowy peaks
|snowy north
Themes
geography
|weather
|nature
Examples
- They moved to a less snowy region because they were tired of shoveling every winter.
- This area is known for its long, snowy winters and short, cool summers.
- Tourists come here for the snowy climate and excellent skiing.
- The country’s snowy north is much colder than its coastal cities.
- Farmers in snowy areas must plan carefully for the short growing season.
Learner examples
- Canada has many snowy areas in winter.
- I do not like snowy winters, so I live in the south.
- This city is in a snowy region near the mountains.
- People in snowy countries need warm clothes.
- The north of the country is very cold and snowy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
snowy
IPA
GB/snˈoʊi/
US/snˈoʊi/
Syllables & stress
snowy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (snowy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: snowy
- Comparative: snowier
- Superlative: snowiest
Word family
Expressions
snowy white
1/snˈoʊi wˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
extremely pure white in color
Very, very white, like fresh, clean snow.
Examples
- Her hair was snowy white by the time she turned seventy.
- The towels in the hotel bathroom were snowy white and smelled fresh.
- A line of snowy white clouds floated above the mountains.