seasonal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "seasonal" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that happens regularly in a certain season or during certain seasons of the year. For example, you could say "The tourist season in this beach town is seasonal; it begins in the summer and ends in the fall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last June, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report warned of larger "near-term increases in seasonal mean and annual mean temperatures" in the region.

The Guardian

As the years have passed, both Mum and I have become more creative in using seasonal produce alongside Indian spices.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hot-cross buns are abundant at Easter time, and this year I've put a twist on this seasonal bake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now we welcome back some Polish seasonal workers every year.

The Guardian

And this aspect of the festivities is perfectly caught in The Worst Christmas of My Life, the three-part seasonal special tied to a brilliant sitcom, The Worst Week of My Life, written and directed by Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Talking of places in Cambridge which pair street food with craft beer, the bar at the foodPark Night Market events also serve a compact but discerning range of craft beers, including various cans from Beavertown (look out for its seasonal blood orange IPA, Bloody Elll) and at least one local beer.

The Guardian - Travel

Warlick also met with Jody Goldsworthy of Beechworth Honey who talked about issues faced by apiarists due to the effect of seasonal changes on bees as a result of climate change.

The Guardian

Bread is served with meat-flecked goose fat instead of butter, and potatoes are the carbohydrate of choice – generally mashed with seasonal vegetables to make a typically Dutch stamppot.

The Guardian - Travel

Along with a comprehensive whiskey list that currently exceeds 90 varieties, Deutsch is always offering a couple of seasonal in-house infusion cocktails, like The Rubino Rosemary Vodka or Blueberry Gin.

The Guardian - Travel

"Older people are more resistant," thinks John Clare, a seasonal eagle ranger employed by a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, Police Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Mull & Iona Community Trust and the RSPB (which shows the institutional backing for this bird).

The Guardian

He's watched the seasonal process unfold every year: the ramp-up in promotional hijab campaigns and pointed televised debates as the weather starts to warm and wardrobe begins to malfunction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or products tied to specific times of the year, use "seasonal" to clearly indicate their periodic nature. For instance, "seasonal produce" informs readers that the availability is linked to the farming seasons.

Common error

Avoid using "seasonal" when you mean something that simply occurs at a specific time, but not repeatedly. "Annual" is more appropriate for one-time yearly events; "seasonal" implies recurrence with each season.

Linguistic Context

The word "seasonal" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a relationship to or dependence on the seasons. Ludwig confirms its correct and common usage. It describes items or events that recur with each season, such as "seasonal produce" or "seasonal workers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seasonal" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is related to or dependent on the seasons. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage. It is frequently encountered in various contexts, including News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle. When writing, remember that "seasonal" implies a recurring pattern related to the seasons, unlike "annual" which refers to something happening once a year. Consider using synonyms like "periodic" or "cyclical" to add nuance to your descriptions. By understanding its proper usage and communicative purpose, you can effectively convey the time-related characteristics of the subjects you are writing about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurring seasonally

Emphasizes the event's occurrence during specific seasons.

in season

Refers to the period when a particular product is at its peak.

every season

Highlights the repetition across each season.

weather-related

Indicates a dependence on weather conditions, a key element of seasonality.

periodic

Describes something recurring at intervals, broader than seasons.

periodic

Refers to occurrences at regular intervals, less specific than seasonal.

cyclical

Indicates recurrence in cycles, not necessarily tied to seasons.

time-dependent

Something that varies with time, not necessarily seasonal.

yearly

Occurring once a year, less frequent than some seasonal events.

limited-time

Something that is available only for a short time.

FAQs

How can I use "seasonal" in a sentence?

You can use "seasonal" to describe things that occur or are available during a particular season, such as "seasonal fruits", "seasonal allergies", or "seasonal jobs".

What's the difference between "seasonal" and "annual"?

"Seasonal" refers to something that occurs during a specific season or seasons of the year, while "annual" refers to something that occurs once a year. For example, you might have "seasonal allergies" but an annual check-up.

What are some alternatives to using the word "seasonal"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "periodic", "cyclical", or "time-dependent".

Is it correct to use "seasonal" to describe something that only happens once?

No, "seasonal" implies a recurring pattern related to the seasons. For a one-time event, use words like "one-time", "single", or "unique".