Sky Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：the sky (sky)

sky 🔊

/skaɪ/

the large, open space above the Earth where you see the sun, clouds, and stars.

the sky 🔊

➕

/ðə skaɪ/

The vast, open expanse above the earth where clouds, the sun, the moon, and stars appear.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old Norse 'ský' (cloud), originally referring to the cloud layer.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'S' for space, 'ky' sounds like 'key' – the sky is the key to the universe.

📖 Example

At sunset, the sky turned a beautiful mix of orange and pink. 🔊 At sunset, the sky turned a beautiful mix of orange and pink.

🔗 Collocations

clear sky – a sky without clouds

blue sky – a sky that appears blue

night sky – the sky at night

🔄 Synonyms

heavens (n.) – the expanse of space above the earth, often associated with the divine

firmament (n.) – the vault or arch of the sky in ancient cosmology

empyrean (n.) – the highest heaven or the sky regarded as a celestial realm

🚫 Antonyms

ground (n.) – the solid surface of the earth

earth (n.) – the planet or the land surface

land (n.) – the solid part of the earth's surface not covered by water

🌱 Derivatives

skyward (adv.) – toward the sky

skylight (n.) – a window in a roof or ceiling that admits daylight

skyline (n.) – the outline of buildings or mountains against the sky

📖 Cultural Story

Borrowed from Old Norse 'ský' (cloud). The sky was once considered a dome or vault, and the word replaced Old English 'heofon' in some contexts.