What does inclement mean?
Word: Inclement
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Inclement means rough and unpleasant, when speaking of the weather.
Synonyms: rough
How do you spell inclement?
Syllables: in - clem - ent
Tricky part: The last syllable fools the ear. It is said so lightly that pupils write ant, but the ending is ent.
Watch out for: inclemant, inclemment
Memory tip: Every Nasty Thunderstorm: the capitals of those three words spell the ending.
Inclement in a sentence
Example 1: The ferry to Elephanta stopped running in the inclement conditions.
Example 2: The trekkers waited out the inclement weather in a tea shop at Munnar.
Example 3: Hikers should pack warm layers in case of inclement weather.
Fun Fact
Its Latin parent meant showing no mercy, and it could describe a person as well as a sky. In English it is now kept mainly for the weather.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
in_l_ment
a) c, i
b) k, e
c) k, i
d) c, e
Show answer
d) c, e. The letter after the n is the c of climb, and the vowel is the e of lemon.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Sailors along the Konkan coast stay in harbour during spells of nectmneli weather.
a) inclement
b) innocent
c) indolent
d) insistent
Show answer
a) inclement. No other option has both an m and a c.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word inclement as used in the sentence:
The organisers moved the sports day indoors because of inclement weather.
a) mild
b) stormy
c) severe
d) harsh
Show answer
a) mild. Soft, pleasant weather is what the organisers were hoping for.
Spell-o-Spell
One of these words is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. overcast 2. inclement 3. drizzle 4. torential
a) too rough for comfortable travel
b) covered with a layer of grey cloud
c) light, fine rain falling steadily
d) pouring down fast and in great amounts
Show answer
d) pouring down fast and in great amounts. Torrential keeps the double r of torrent.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An airline blames inclement conditions for a delay. What has probably happened?
a) a crew member arriving a bit late
b) a software update at the gate
c) thick fog or rain over the runway
d) a shortage of meals for passengers
Show answer
c) thick fog or rain over the runway
2. Which postcard line best suits inclement weather?
a) Blue skies, warm sand and a gentle breeze.
b) Clear nights, bright stars and a calm sea.
c) Grey skies, lashing rain and no sign of sun.
d) Soft sunshine, light wind and dry paths.
Show answer
c) Grey skies, lashing rain and no sign of sun.
