Make Your Point > Archived Issues > WEATHER-WISE
Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.
"WEATHER-WISE"
Pronunciation:
WETH er wize
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.”
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in “a weather-wise candidate.”
2. After a linking verb, as in "The candidate was weather-wise.”)
Meaning:
Of course, "weather-wise" can mean good at predicting the weather, or it can mean related to the weather, as in "Weather-wise, it was a great weekend."
More generally, someone weather-wise is good at predicting how people will react, think, and feel about things. (That's the meaning we'll focus on.)
Other forms:
None. Some people omit the hyphen and write "weatherwise."
How to use it:
Talk about people who are weather-wise: "the weather-wise leader," "a weather-wise politician," "they grew more weather-wise with experience." (Ben Franklin famously quipped, "Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise.")
And although I haven't seen the word being used in this second way, it seems logical to let "weather-wise" describe observations, outlooks, sensitivities, predictions, summaries, etc.
To call Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert "comedians" is insufficient, considering their ongoing, weather-wise commentary.
As the SAT once again morphs into an entirely different test, students need a weather-wise guidance counselor more than ever.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "weather-wise" means when you can explain it without saying “observant" or "clear-sighted."
Think of an intelligent person you know who can prevent problems, and fill in the blanks: "Always weather-wise, (Person) was able to _____ before _____."
Example: "Always weather-wise, Beth was able to whip up a healthy snack before the cranky kids even realized they were hungry."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now;let your working memory empty out first.
Playing With Words:
This month, we're reviewing recently featured words with some activities created with my favorite vocabulary software: Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, made by Schoolhouse Technologies. It's a simple, flexible program that lets you input word lists and definitions, then create customized, fun worksheets for review. We're starting off with very easy activities, then working our way toward harder reviews throughout the month.
From yesterday, find the words in the word search,
with only the definitions for clues:
View
Answer:
View
Try this one today. It should seem difficult:
View
A Point Well Made:
T. E. Hulme: "Prose is a museum where all the old weapons of poetry are kept."
1. The opposite of WEATHER-WISE is
A. COLD-HEARTED
B. SHORT-SIGHTED
C. WEAK-WILLED
2. She's since grown more weather-wise, but there was a time when she _____.
A. listened to anyone without judgment
B. made dozens of errors in her notes without even noticing them
C. said every thought that crossed her mind without regard to who was listening
Answers are below.
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. B
2. C
"WEATHER-WISE" Pronunciation: WETH er wizePart of speech: Meaning: Other forms: |