clement

IPA/ˈklemənt/
KK[klˈɛmənt]IPA/ˈklemənt/

clement — adjective

  • clementpositive
  • more clementcomparative
  • most clementsuperlative

1. describing weather that feels mild, calm, and comfortable rather than cold or ex

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

describing weather that feels mild, calm, and comfortable rather than cold or extreme

Example

The clement spring weather let Baraka eat lunch beside the river.

clement weather

Farmers planted early because the clement March air never turned cold.

Common collocations
  • clement weather
  • clement climate
  • a clement day
  • clement conditions
Synonyms
  • mild

    the everyday word for weather that is not cold, rough, or severe

  • temperate

    more climate-focused and often used for places rather than a single day

  • balmy

    warmer and softer in feeling, especially with gentle air

Antonyms
  • harsh

    used for weather that feels rough or difficult to face

  • severe

    emphasises dangerous or extreme weather conditions

Grammar Patterns

clement weather

clement climate

a clement day

Usage Note

Usually used for weather, climate, seasons, or days, and it sounds more formal than everyday words like 'mild' or 'nice'. Distinguish from sense 2: here the subject is a condition in nature, not a person or authority figure.

Common Mistakes

The teacher was clement after the late homework.
The teacher was lenient after the late homework.
this weather sense is not used for people who forgive mistakes.

2. showing a willingness to forgive someone or give a lighter punishment than might

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

showing a willingness to forgive someone or give a lighter punishment than might be expected

Example

The clement judge let Ada keep her licence after the first offence.

a clement judge

Imran thanked the principal for being clement about the prank.

be clement about + mistake

Common collocations
  • a clement judge
  • a clement ruler
  • be clement toward someone
  • take a clement view
Synonyms
  • lenient

    the more usual word for giving a lighter punishment

  • merciful

    close in meaning but more common and often more emotional or religious

  • forgiving

    focuses on pardon in personal relationships, not necessarily authority

Antonyms
  • harsh

    general term for severe treatment or punishment

  • strict

    emphasises firm rule-following rather than mercy

Grammar Patterns

be clement toward someone

a clement judge

take a clement view

Usage Note

Mostly used in formal writing about judges, rulers, school authorities, or other people who can punish or forgive. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes a human decision to be lenient, not gentle weather.

Common Mistakes

The clement afternoon helped us finish the hike.
The mild afternoon helped us finish the hike.
when the subject is weather, use sense 1 rather than this mercy sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words can describe pleasant weather, but they are not used in the same way. 'Clement' is the most formal and often appears in writing about weather that is unexpectedly gentle for a season or place. 'Mild' is the everyday choice and can describe anything from a soft winter to a warm evening. 'Temperate' usually talks about a region or climate pattern, not one afternoon, and suggests moderation across the year. 'Balmy' points to warm, soft air and often gives a more relaxed, holiday-like feeling. So you might call April unusually clement, say today's weather is mild, describe coastal Portugal as temperate, and call an evening by the sea balmy.

clement ↗mild ↗temperate ↗balmy ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Latin 'clemens', meaning 'mild', 'gentle', or 'merciful'. English took the word through Old French and Middle English. The Latin meaning already covered both gentle conditions and forgiving behaviour, which is why modern English still uses 'clement' both for mild weather and for merciful treatment.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1