Indian Summer Definition [verified] Jun 2026

Just as "Indian giver" (a slur implying the taking back of a gift) suggests something false or inauthentic, "Indian Summer" may imply a "false summer." In early American vernacular, the modifier "Indian" was often attached to things that were "sham" or "imitation" (e.g., an "Indian gift" vs. a true gift). Thus, an Indian Summer is a "fake summer"—a deceiving period of warmth that mimics the real season but is actually a precursor to winter.

Known as Altweibersommer (Old Women's Summer), referring to the gossamer spider webs that drift through the warm air. indian summer definition

In Canada, the term has largely been replaced in meteorological and official contexts by "Late Summer" or "Second Summer." In the UK and parts of Europe, the preferred term is "St. Martin’s Summer" (referring to St. Martin's Day, November 11) or, in poetry, "Halcyon days." Just as "Indian giver" (a slur implying the

The air is typically still and hazy or smoky. This haziness is caused by the lack of wind and the presence of a "thermal inversion," where warm air traps dust and particles near the ground. Duration: The spell must last for at least several days. Etymology and Origins Known as Altweibersommer (Old Women's Summer), referring to

It occurs in October or November, specifically after the first frost of the season has occurred.