What does springtime mean?
Springtime is the season between winter and summer, a period associated with warmer weather, longer days, flowering plants, and the return of animal activity. In Britain, the United States, and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, it usually corresponds to March, April, and May; in the Southern Hemisphere, the months differ, although the broad seasonal contrast remains the same. The word is especially common in descriptive or literary writing, where it emphasizes the character and atmosphere of the season. It can sound warmer and more evocative than the ordinary word 'spring', making it useful in descriptions of gardens, landscapes, festivals, and seasonal weather. Although both terms refer to the same broad period, 'springtime' often carries a greater sense of passage and seasonal change.
nounThe season or period of the year between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow and the weather generally becomes warmer. It is usually considered to include March, April, and May in the Northern Hemisphere and September, October, and November in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The season between winter and summer, marked by warmer weather, longer daylight, and the growth of plants.
"The garden looks its best in springtime, when the trees are covered with blossoms."
"Wildflowers began to appear across the hills in springtime."
"The author spent springtime travelling through the countryside."
Plural 'springtimes' is possible but uncommon; writers usually identify a particular year with a prepositional phrase such as 'springtime 2025'.
"The town's springtimes are known for their festivals and unusually mild weather."
Springtime names the season in an unusually literal way: it is the time of spring, the period when nature moves from winter stillness into growth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does springtime come from?
Springtime is a compound formed in English from 'spring' and 'time'. The word 'spring' ultimately relates to Old English 'springan', meaning to leap or spring, and developed a separate use for the season in which new growth appears. 'Time' is an ordinary English noun denoting a period or dimension of existence. The compound follows the productive English pattern of joining words with 'time', as in 'Christmas time' and 'wartime', although it is now chiefly treated as a single lexical item.
How springtime is actually used
The word is somewhat literary or descriptive compared with the shorter and much more common word 'spring'. It is used in both British and American English, although the precise calendar months associated with the season vary by region.