a slightly overcast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly overcast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weather conditions that are somewhat cloudy but not completely overcast. Example: "The day started off bright, but by noon, it had turned into a slightly overcast afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

On a slightly overcast day.

The Guardian - Film

I drove into Middletown on a slightly overcast Sunday afternoon.

The New York Times

It was a slightly overcast morning, but I arrived shortly before opening time to find the parking lot filling up rapidly.

The New Yorker

Early on July 2nd, on a slightly overcast morning, about eighteen hours into the flight, Earhart told radiomen on the Itasca, a Coast Guard cutter stationed off Howland to help guide her down, that she was flying at a thousand feet and should soon be "on" them, but that her fuel was low.

The New Yorker

Don't do this under direct sun, maybe wait for a slightly overcast day.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She also called the court conditions, on a humid and slightly overcast day, "perfect".

Los Angeles Times

It was a relatively calm night, slightly overcast and unseasonably warm for early October.

Huffington Post

It was a beautiful day, warm and slightly overcast, and the crowd had begun assembling many hours before, filling the corridors through Berlin's Tiergarten from Charottenburg almost all the way to the Brandenburg Gate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The best time of day to take pictures is when it is slightly overcast, or when the sun goes behind a cloud.

WikiHow

The camera performed well outdoors on sunny and slightly overcast days and indoors under bright light.

TechCrunch

Hundreds of attendees are wandering under the slightly overcast skies.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly overcast" to provide a nuanced description of weather conditions, indicating partial cloud cover without heavy gloom.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly overcast" to describe moods or situations where a more direct metaphor would be more effective. Stick to describing the weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly overcast" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (e.g., day, sky, morning). Ludwig provides examples showing its descriptive use in various contexts, aligning with its primary grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly overcast" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily employed to describe weather conditions that are somewhat cloudy but not entirely overcast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide a more nuanced description of cloud cover. While relatively rare in occurrence, its usage is typically found in news and media, as well as in general descriptions. Related phrases include "partly cloudy" and "somewhat cloudy", offering alternative ways to express similar atmospheric conditions. When using "a slightly overcast", it's best to stick to its literal meaning, avoiding overuse in metaphorical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

softly overcast

Emphasizes a gentle and diffused quality of the overcast condition.

lightly clouded

Directly describes the extent of cloud cover in a straightforward manner.

somewhat cloudy

Emphasizes the presence of clouds without specifying the degree of overcast.

somewhat gray

Highlights the grayish color of the sky due to clouds.

partially clouded

Highlights that the sky is not entirely covered by clouds.

a touch of cloud cover

Underlines the subtle presence of clouds.

a bit gloomy

Focuses on the subdued lighting and mood associated with cloud cover.

a little dull

Indicates a lack of brightness in the sky due to cloud cover.

slightly muted sky

Focuses on the reduced intensity of light due to cloud coverage.

partly sunny

Highlights the presence of both sun and clouds.

FAQs

How can I use "a slightly overcast" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly overcast" to describe the weather, for instance, "It was "a slightly overcast" morning, perfect for a walk in the park."

What's a good alternative to "a slightly overcast"?

Alternatives include "partly cloudy", "somewhat cloudy", or "lightly clouded" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a slightly overcast day" or "a partly cloudy day"?

Both are correct, but "a slightly overcast day" implies a thinner cloud cover compared to "a partly cloudy day".

When is it appropriate to use "a slightly overcast" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to precisely describe the atmospheric conditions, indicating that the sky is not completely clear but also not heavily clouded. It's more descriptive than simply saying "cloudy".