cirrus

Everyday

1. Cirrus is a thin, wispy, white cloud high up in the sky, made of tiny ice crystals. tree →
2. Cirrus clouds can look like feathers or horses' tails. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons on weather, cirrus is one of the main cloud types: high and thin. They often mean fair weather, but can show that the weather will change in a day or so. The word comes from Latin for a curl of hair.

Examples

• Thin cirrus clouds streaked across the blue sky. tree →
• Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. tree →
• Cirrus clouds are the highest common clouds. tree →
• Some people call cirrus clouds «mares' tails». tree →
• Draw a cirrus cloud on your weather chart. tree →
• Cirrus clouds can mean the weather will change soon. tree →

Note

A science word; usually used as «cirrus clouds». Compare: cumulus (fluffy heaps), stratus (flat grey layers), cumulonimbus (tall storm clouds).