Monsoon

noun

/mɒnˈsuːn/

A seasonal reversal of wind direction associated with large-scale changes in atmospheric pressure, bringing prolonged wet and dry seasons to tropical and subtropical regions.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The economy's enduring dependence on a timely and well-distributed monsoon underscores the urgency of climate-resilient agriculture, since a single deficient rainfall season can derail rural incomes, stoke food inflation and widen fiscal stress.

Synonyms

seasonal windrainsrainy seasontrade winddownpourdeluge

Antonyms

droughtdry seasonaridity

🌱 Word Family

monsoon (n), monsoonal (adj), monsoons (n pl), pre-monsoon (adj), post-monsoon (adj)

🔡 Root

Arabic mawsim (موسم) = season; from wasama = to mark, brand; via Portuguese monção and Dutch moesson

📜 Etymology

From Portuguese monção and Dutch moesson, derived from Arabic mawsim (موسم) meaning "season," ultimately from wasama ("to mark, to brand"); first recorded in English in 1584.

🧠 Memory Hook

From Arabic mawsim, "season" — picture the MONSOON arriving like clockwork each SEASON; "MON-SOON" = the rains come "soon" every year.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2025 — Indian Geography
Prelims 2021 — Art & Culture
Prelims 2019 — Monsoon
Prelims 2018 — Monsoon
Prelims 2017 — Monsoon
Mains 2023 · GS1 · 10 marks — Geography
Mains 2017 · GS1 · 15 marks — Geography
Mains 2015 · GS1 · 12.5 marks — Geography

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Monsoon” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🌍 Geography 📖 Seen in: Climate of India and Monsoon Mechanism

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