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If you want to sound sophisticated this spring, you can do what various learned individuals have done since the 16th century and refer to the spring equinox as the vernal equinox. You might also alter a classic rhyme to chant "Vernal showers bring May flowers." Or if you really want to wax poetic, you could compliment your lass's vernal grace or your beau's vernal charm. If you do, and your sweetheart asks where such a word comes from, you can further impress by saying, "'Vernal,' my dear, comes from the Latin 'vernalis,' which is derived from the Latin word for spring, 'ver.'"
Examples of vernal in a Sentence
John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 20 June 2024
The date is different every year and falls on the first Sunday of the first full moon after the vernal equinox, also called the Paschal Full Moon.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
So happy vernal equinox — is that a tarantula? — to all who celebrate.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
On the vernal equinox, the Northern and Southern hemispheres receive about the same amounts of sunlight.
—Liz Kellar, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vernal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Vernal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vernal. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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vernal
adjective
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