Do you love autumn 🍂 ? Does it look anything like the autumn in the picture below where you are? If it does, this article will help you learn new vocabulary for discussing the season. If not, keep reading anyway—you never know when this knowledge might come in handy. We hope this post helps make your conversations about autumn a bit crisper, no matter where you are.

Autumn or Fall?

“Autumn” and “fall” are two terms used to describe the same season. While “autumn” is widely used in both British and American English, “fall” is primarily used in American English. Examples:

1. He returned to school a month into the fall semester.
2. Here you can enjoy gorgeous fall foliage.
3. It’s been a very mild autumn.
4. We like to travel in autumn when there are fewer tourists.

Falling For Autumn*

*”Falling for autumn” is a playful way to express a deep appreciation or love for the autumn season, since to fall for someone means to be strongly attracted to somebody, or to fall in love with somebody.

**“Sweater weather” is the time of year when the temperature is cool enough to make wearing a sweater comfortable and enjoyable. It typically describes the transitional period between the hot summer months and the colder winter season.

Word	Meaning	Examples
1. crisp	(of the air or the weather) pleasantly dry and cold	1) I love the crisp air in the morning. 2) The crisp weather of autumn is ideal for a morning jog.
2. invigorating /ɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ/	making you feel healthy and full of energy	1) The walk was truly invigorating. 2) After a jog, a shower is invigorating.
3. brisk	(of wind and the weather) cold but pleasantly fresh	1) The brisk breeze coming off the lake made our outdoor lunch feel invigorating. 2) After the sun set, the temperature dropped and the air turned brisk.
4. chill***	a feeling of being cold	1) There’s a chill in the air this morning. 2) As the sun went down, a chill set in, and we had to wrap up in warm blankets.
5. tapestry /ˈtæpəstri/	In this context, the word “tapestry” is used metaphorically to describe the rich, intricate, and visually stunning display of fall colors.	1) The landscape during sunrise is a tapestry of pinks and oranges. 2) The tapestry of fall colors is just breathtaking.
6. hue	a particular shade of a color	1) The golden hues and crimson and golden make everything look like a painting. 2) Her paintings capture the subtle hues of the countryside in autumn.
7. foliage /ˈfəʊliɪdʒ/	the leaves of a tree or plant	1) The park’s autumn foliage was stunning. 2) As the leaves began to fall, the ground was covered in a colorful blanket of autumn foliage.
8. nostalgic /nəˈstældʒɪk/	bringing a sad feeling mixed with pleasure when you think of happy times in the past; a person can be nostalgic too – if and when they have that sad feeling	1) The scent of fallen leaves is so nostalgic. 2) I feel quite nostalgic for the place where I grew up.
9. comforting	making you feel calmer and less worried or unhappy	1) The scent of the fallen leaves is both nostalgic and comforting. 2) It’s comforting to know that you’ll be there.
10. rustling /ˈrʌslɪŋ/ (underfoot)	the sound of light, dry things moving together	1) I think the rustling underfoot adds a nice touch. 2) The soft rustling of leaves can be so comforting.
11. to bundle up	to dress warmly in layers of clothing	1) I’ve been looking forward to bundling up in my favorite sweater. 2) She bundled up in a cozy scarf and thick sweater before heading out for a walk through the falling leaves.
12. to warm up	to get warmer	1) It’s the perfect opportunity to warm up with a hot drink. 2) After a chilly afternoon of apple picking, the family gathered around the fireplace to warm up with hot cider /ˈsaɪdər/ and blankets.
13. to set in	(of weather/conditions) to begin	1) Autumn is a great time to enjoy the outdoors before the winter sets in. 2) As September turned into October, the chill of autumn began to set in.
14. to soak sth. in	to fully absorb or enjoy an experience or environment	1) Let’s go for a walk this weekend and soak in all the autumn beauty! 2) She is taking a moment to soak in the serene beauty of the autumn landscape.

***Chill vs. Cold

“Chill” and “cold” both describe low temperatures, but “chill” means a slight or moderate coldness that is noticeable but not extreme. It can also imply a coolness that feels refreshing or brisk rather than harsh. For example: There’s a chill in the air this morning (= it’s a bit cold but not freezing).

“Cold” is a more general and straightforward term for low temperatures. It can describe anything from mildly uncomfortable to extremely frigid conditions. When you say, “It’s cold outside,” it usually means the temperature is low enough to be uncomfortable.

Would you like to practice the vocabulary from this post? Let us know in the comments below what the weather is usually like in your area during autumn and how it makes you feel. Even if you dislike autumn, use it as an opportunity to express your feelings. For example: I don’t find autumn’s chill particularly invigorating. I hate it when the cold sets in and would prefer not to have to bundle up like I have to do in autumn.

We hope to hear from you! 😉