English · Word Candidate

ambient

/ˈæm.bi.ənt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: ambients

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Encompassing on all sides; surrounding; encircling; enveloping.

Adjective

Examples

A cup of warm tea eventually cools to the ambient temperature.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Evoking or creating an atmosphere: atmospheric.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Something that surrounds; encompassing material, substance or shape.

Noun

Examples

Much after this same manner, when the Air is exceeding cold through which it passes; do we find the drops of Rain, falling from the Clouds, congealed into round Hail-stones by the freezing Ambient.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

The atmosphere; the surrounding air or sky; atmospheric components collectively such as air, clouds, water vapour, hail, etc.

Noun

Examples

It might be also, that attracted by that great void Vacuum ... all the ambients would be rarified, and particularly, the air.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “ambient” mean?

Encompassing on all sides; surrounding; encircling; enveloping.

Is “ambient” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.