1. The key to understanding almost every cloud in the atmosphere!
Cloud Words
The key to understanding almost every cloud
in the atmosphere!

2. Latin Words
Many words in science come from the original Latin words. People do not speak Latin anymore, but we still use words from this language. As we learn about different cloud types, you will need to know the meaning of several Latin words to help you understand why we have given certain cloud formations their names.

3. Cloud Words to Know stratus cumulus cirrus alto nimbus
Here is a list of words that you will need to learn.
stratus
cumulus
cirrus
alto
nimbus

4. Stratus
Here is the first Latin word that you will need to know. Try to memorize the word and what it means.
Stratus – the word stratus means “flattened” or “spread out” or “layer.”
Hint: One way to remember what the word stratus means is to say this rhyme – stratus flatus (because stratus means “flat layer” kind of like a blanket.)

5. Cumulus Cumulus – the word cumulus means “heap” or “pile.”
Here is the second Latin word that you will need to know. Try to memorize the word and what it means.
Cumulus – the word cumulus means “heap” or “pile.”
Hint: If you accumulate something, you are gathering or piling up something little by little. The word cumulus means “pile” or “heap.” The word accumulate and cumulus sound the same.

6. Cirrus Cirrus – the word cirrus means “curl (of hair)” or “fringe.”
Here is the third Latin word that you will need to know. Try to memorize the word and what it means.
Cirrus – the word cirrus means “curl (of hair)” or “fringe.”
Hint: If you want to get your hair cut, you have to use a pair of scissors. Instead of saying scissors, say the word cirrus – “I cut my hair with a pair of cirrus!” (This could remind you that cirrus means “curl of hair.”)

7. Alto Alto – the word alto means “middle” or the “second highest.”
Here is the forth Latin word that you will need to know. Try to memorize the word and what it means.
Alto – the word alto means “middle” or the “second highest.”
Hint: In a choir, the soprano sings the highest, and an alto sings the second highest, or in the middle. In science, “alto means “middle” or “second highest.”

8. Nimbus Nimbus – the word nimbus means “rain” or “dark rain cloud.”
Here is the fifth Latin word that you will need to know. Try to memorize the word and what it means.
Nimbus – the word nimbus means “rain” or “dark rain cloud.”
Hint: Harry Potter rides a very fancy broom called the “Nimbus 2000.”

9. Review
Here is a list of all of the Latin words that you have just learned.
Stratus – the word stratus means “flattened” or “spread out” or “layer.”
Cumulus – the word cumulus means “heap” or “pile.”
Cirrus – the word cirrus means “curl (of hair)” or “fringe.”
Alto – the word alto means “middle” or the “second highest.”
Nimbus – the word nimbus means “rain” or “dark rain cloud.”