Language Research

snow · noun U

/snoʊ/Full view

snow

A1 soft white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky when the weather is cold

Dictionary examples:

Outside the snow began to fall.

Let's go and play in the snow!

A blanket of snow lay on the ground.

Her hair was jet-black, her lips ruby-red and her skin as white as snow.

Learner example:

I like England bec[a]use I like we[a]ther like snow. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Cantonese)

snow · verb I

/snoʊ/

snow

A2 If it snows, snow falls from the sky.

Dictionary examples:

It's snowing.

It's starting to snow.

It had snowed overnight and a thick white layer covered the ground.

Learner example:

It is raining and snowing all the time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)

be snowed in

C2 to be unable to leave a place because there is too much snow

Dictionary example:

We were snowed in for two days.

Learner example:

After being snowed in the following morning, we headed off to Las Vegas. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

be snowed under

C2 to have too much work

Dictionary example:

I'm snowed under at school.

Learner example:

During late winter evenings when you are snowed under at work, this positive change is what keeps you going. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)