Definition

The sky or the space above the earth, often thought of as a dome or vault.

Example

The stars twinkled brightly in the firmament above us.

Conversation

Did you see how clear the sky was last night?

Yeah, the firmament looked beautiful with all those stars.

It felt so peaceful just lying there and looking up.

Absolutely! It's moments like that which make you appreciate the night.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Firmament → It is derived from the Latin 'firmamentum' (meaning support or strengthening), which comes from 'firmus' (meaning firm or strong) and the suffix '-ment' (indicating the result of an action). The word 'firmament' refers to the strong support or structure of the heavens or sky.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'strong' ('firmus') providing 'support' ('firmamentum') — that's why the firmament refers to the strong structure of the sky.

Visually Confused Words