Winters vs. Winter: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
"Winters" refers to multiple winter seasons, whereas "winter" denotes a single season characterized by cold weather.
Key Differences
"Winters" is the plural form of "winter," indicating more than one winter season. This form is often used when discussing events or trends over multiple years. "Winter," on the other hand, refers to the single season that occurs annually between autumn and spring.
"Winters" can also function as a verb in the third-person singular present tense, meaning to spend the winter season in a particular place. For example, "He winters in Florida." "Winter" is primarily a noun but can be used as a verb in contexts like "to winter" in a specific location.
"Winters" is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to "winter," which is a regular part of seasonal vocabulary. "Winter" describes the period characterized by cold weather, snow, and shorter days, typically lasting from December to February in the Northern Hemisphere.
When talking about trends, "winters" might be used, such as in "The past few winters have been unusually warm." Meanwhile, "winter" would be used in statements like "Winter is coming soon."
In literature or storytelling, "winters" might be employed to convey the passage of time or recurring events across different years. "Winter" is frequently used to describe settings or atmospheres within a narrative.
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Comparison Chart
Form
Plural noun or verb (third-person)
Singular noun or verb
Usage Frequency
Less common
More common
Meaning
Multiple winter seasons or recurring events
Single season between autumn and spring
Verb Usage
Means to spend winter in a location
Describes spending the season somewhere
Context
Discusses trends or events over years
Refers to the season or weather
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Winters and Winter Definitions
Winters
Plural of winter.
The last few winters were harsh.
Winter
Period of cold weather.
I love the snowy winter.
Winters
Refers to multiple winter seasons.
Winters in Alaska can be extreme.
Winter
Describes the coldest season.
Winter brings short days.
Winters
Can indicate recurring events.
Winters bring holiday festivities.
Winter
Can be a verb.
They will winter in Florida.
Winters
Used in historical contexts.
The colony faced harsh winters.
Winter
Season between autumn and spring.
Winter starts in December.
Winters
In the Northern Hemisphere, usually the coldest season of the year, occurring between autumn and spring and including the months of December, January, and February. In the Southern Hemisphere austral winter includes June, July, and August.
Winter
In the Northern Hemisphere, usually the coldest season of the year, occurring between autumn and spring and including the months of December, January, and February. In the Southern Hemisphere austral winter includes June, July, and August.
Winters
The season extending from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.
Winter
The season extending from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.
Winters
A year as expressed through the recurrence of the winter season.
Winter
A year as expressed through the recurrence of the winter season.
Winters
A period of time characterized by coldness, misery, barrenness, or death.
Winter
A period of time characterized by coldness, misery, barrenness, or death.
Winters
Relating to or occurring in winter
Winter blizzards.
Winter attire.
Winter
Relating to or occurring in winter
Winter blizzards.
Winter attire.
Winters
Grown during the season of winter
Winter herbs.
Winter
Grown during the season of winter
Winter herbs.
Winters
To spend the winter
Wintered in Arizona.
Winter
To spend the winter
Wintered in Arizona.
Winters
To feed in winter. Used with on
Deer wintering on cedar bark.
Winter
To feed in winter. Used with on
Deer wintering on cedar bark.
Winters
To lodge, keep, or care for during the winter
Wintering the sheep in the stable.
Winter
To lodge, keep, or care for during the winter
Wintering the sheep in the stable.
Winters
Plural of winter
Winter
Traditionally the fourth of the four seasons, typically regarded as being from December 23 to March 20 in continental regions of the Northern Hemisphere or the months of June, July, and August in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the time when the sun is lowest in the sky, resulting in short days, and the time of year with the lowest atmospheric temperatures for the region.
Winters
(US) In the winter.
They ski winters in the Laurentians.
Winter
The period of decay, old age, death, or the like.
Winters
Verb (third-person singular).
She winters in Spain.
Winter
Someone with dark skin, eyes and hair, seen as best suited to certain colors of clothing.
Winter
(obsolete) An appliance to be fixed on the front of a grate, to keep a kettle warm, etc.
Winter
The rainy season.
Winter
(intransitive) To spend the winter (in a particular place).
When they retired, they hoped to winter in Florida.
Winter
(transitive) To store something (for instance animals) somewhere over winter to protect it from cold.
Winter
The season of the year in which the sun shines most obliquely upon any region; the coldest season of the year.
And after summer evermore succeedsBarren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold.
Winter lingering chills the lap of May.
Winter
The period of decay, old age, death, or the like.
Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge.
Winter
To pass the winter; to hibernate; as, to winter in Florida.
Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence.
Winter
To keep, feed or manage, during the winter; as, to winter young cattle on straw.
Winter
The coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
Winter
Spend the winter;
We wintered on the Riviera
Winter
Often associated with holidays.
Winter is a festive season.
FAQs
What is "winters"?
"Winters" is the plural form of "winter" or a verb meaning to spend the winter season somewhere.
How is "winter" used in a sentence?
E.g., "Winter is my favorite season."
What does "winter" mean?
"Winter" is the season between autumn and spring, characterized by cold weather.
When do you use "winter"?
When referring to the cold season occurring yearly.
Can "winters" refer to past events?
Yes, it can describe events across multiple winters.
Can "winters" be a verb?
Yes, in third-person singular form, meaning to spend the winter in a specific place.
When do you use "winters"?
When referring to multiple winter seasons or using it as a verb.
Does "winters" have a metaphorical use?
Yes, it can metaphorically describe difficult periods.
How is "winters" used in a sentence?
E.g., "The last few winters have been mild."
Is "winter" only a noun?
No, it can also be a verb, e.g., "to winter somewhere."
What is a synonym for "winter"?
A cold season.
What weather is typical in "winter"?
Cold temperatures, snow, and ice.
Can "winters" be used in poetry?
Yes, to evoke a sense of passing time.
Can "winters" describe trends?
Yes, like "The past winters have seen less snow."
What is an example of "winters" as a verb?
E.g., "She winters in Mexico."
How is "winter" depicted in literature?
Often as a time of hardship or reflection.
Is "winters" common in daily speech?
Less common compared to "winter."
Does "winter" always mean the same period globally?
No, winter months vary between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Does "winter" have cultural significance?
Yes, many holidays and traditions are associated with winter.
Can "winter" refer to a time of life?
Yes, metaphorically as the later years of life.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
