summer

On this page

• Parts of speech for the word “summer”
• Capitalization rules for the word “summer”
• Phrases, expressions and sayings related to summer
• Additional information

Parts of speech for the word “summer”

You can use the word summer as a noun, a modifier or a verb:

• The play will debut in summer. [noun]
• Enroll your child in a summer camp. [modifier]
• When I was young, my family summered at the cottage. [verb]

Capitalization rules for the word “summer”

The word summer is normally in lower case when it’s used as a common noun:

• We’re spending the summer at the cottage.

However, you should capitalize the word summer in the following cases:

• when it’s the first word in a sentence
  • Summer is here!
• when it’s personified
  • “We will muse on Summer’s ploys” —Charles Mair
• when it’s part of a title
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation
• when it’s part of a proper noun
  • The Summer Palace is in Beijing.

Phrases, expressions and sayings related to summer

dog days of summer

Occurring in July and August in the northern hemisphere, the dog days of summer are the hottest days of the summer season. They are so named because ancient peoples connected this weather with Sirius, the Dog Star (the brightest star in the night sky), in the constellation Canis Major (the Great Dog).

• The dog days of summer bring hot and sultry weather.

Midsummer Day

Midsummer Day is the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, one of the four quarter days that mark the beginning of each quarter year in England. (The others are Lady Day, March 25; Michaelmas, September 29; and Christmas, December 25.)

One swallow doesn’t make a summer.

Meaning: One good event doesn’t guarantee a continuing trend.

• Jason did well on his last history test, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. He’s going to have to work hard for the rest of the semester if he wants to pass.

pass like a summer cloud; be fleeting as a summer cloud

Meaning: pass quickly

• Sarah’s holiday passed like a summer cloud, leaving her yearning for a few more days in the tropical sun.

summer solstice

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and the first day of summer, occurring around June 21 in the northern hemisphere.

Summer Triangle

The Summer Triangle is a triangle formed by the bright stars Altair, Deneb and Vega; it can be seen overhead at midnight during summer in the northern hemisphere.

Additional information

• Capitalization: seasons