Capital letters with the seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter.

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Use a capital letter for the names of the seasons when they are personified; i.e., when they are given human traits.

Capital Letters and the Seasons

The four seasons are not normally written with capital letters. However, if a season is given a human trait (i.e., personified), then it can be given a capital letter.

Examples:

He was touched by Winter's icy breath.

(winter given a human trait - use a capital letter)

Where are you going this winter?

(no human trait - use a lowercase letter)

The leaves had been subjected to Autumn's touch.

(human trait - 'A' is correct)

The trees were all the colours of autumn.

(no human trait - 'a' is correct)

This is the second time I have been skiing this Winter.

(no human trait - 'W' should be 'w')

DON'T WORRY

This rule is under change. Nowadays, it is accepted to write the seasons without capital letters regardless of personification.

PROPER NOUNS

If a season name forms part of a proper noun, then it is given a capital letter.

I met her at the Summer Solstice.

The were some incredible masks at the Rhine Winter Ball.

Associated lessons:

Capital letters in advertisements
Capital letters and the points of the compass
Capital letters with moons, stars and planets
Using capital letters with proper and common nouns
Capital letters start sentences
What is title case?
Test on using capital letters