interglacial
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌɪn.təˈɡleɪ.ʃəl/
KK: /ɪnˈtɜrɡleɪʃəl/
adjective
Definition
Describing a period or events that happen between ice ages.
Example
The interglacial period allowed many species to thrive due to the warmer climate.
Conversation
Did you read that article about climate change?
Yeah, it mentioned some fascinating interglacial periods.
I didn't realize how much those periods affect our current climate.
Exactly! They really highlight the changes over thousands of years.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
intervening
transitional
intermediate
Antonyms
glacial
frigid
cold
noun
Definition
A warm period that occurs between ice ages, when temperatures rise and glaciers retreat.
Example
During the interglacial, many species thrived as the climate became warmer.
Conversation
Did you know there was an interglacial period a long time ago?
Yeah, I read that it was much warmer then.
Exactly! It’s fascinating how the climate changes over time.
Root Explanation
Interglacial → It is formed from "inter-" (meaning between) and "glacies" (from Latin, meaning ice). The term describes the period between glacial epochs, specifically the warmer intervals when ice sheets retreat.
Memory Tip
Think of a time that is 'between' ('inter-') periods of 'ice' ('glacies') — that's what interglacial refers to.
Visually Confused Words
intraglacial
infraglacial