Harmattan

Pronunciation: /hɑːrˈmætən/

Definitions of harmattan

noun a dry, dusty easterly or northeasterly wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February.

Example Sentences

A1 The harmattan season brings dry and dusty weather to West Africa.

A2 During harmattan, people in Nigeria often experience cold mornings and hot afternoons.

B1 Farmers in Ghana have to take precautions during the harmattan season to protect their crops.

B2 The harmattan winds can sometimes cause respiratory problems for people living in the Sahel region.

C1 The harmattan phenomenon is a result of the northeast trade winds blowing across the Sahara Desert.

C2 Pilots flying in West Africa need to be aware of the harmattan season and its potential impact on visibility.

Examples of harmattan in a Sentence

formal The harmattan season in West Africa is characterized by dry and dusty winds.

informal I always look forward to the harmattan season because it brings cooler weather.

slang I hate harmattan season because my skin gets so dry and itchy.

figurative The harmattan of life can be harsh, but it also brings clarity and perspective.

Grammatical Forms of harmattan

• plural: harmattans
• comparative: more harmattan
• superlative: most harmattan
• present tense: harmattans
• future tense: will harmattan
• perfect tense: has/have harmed
• continuous tense: is/are harming
• singular: harmattan
• positive degree: harmattan
• infinitive: to harmattan
• gerund: harmattaning
• participle: harmattaned

Origin and Evolution of harmattan

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Twi

Story behind the word: The word 'harmattan' is believed to have originated from the Twi language spoken in Ghana, where it refers to the dry and dusty trade wind that blows from the Sahara Desert across West Africa.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'harmattan' has come to be used more widely to describe the dry and dusty season in West Africa when this wind blows, as well as the associated haze and drop in temperature. It has also been adopted in other languages to refer to similar weather phenomena in different regions.