Fahrenheit

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Fahrenheit

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective and noun (proper)

Pronunciation

FAR-en-hite  /ˈfarənhʌɪt/

Definition

Relating to or denoting a scale of temperature on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. Named after the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit.

Plain meaning

The temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 — still standard in the United States and used informally for hot weather in Britain.

Register

Technical and scientific in formal use. Informal and conversational in British everyday speech, particularly for memorable temperatures (90 in the shade).