annual

[ an-yoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, for, or pertaining to a year; yearly:

   annual salary.

2. occurring or returning once a year:

   an annual celebration.

3. Botany. living only one growing season, as beans or corn.
4. performed or executed during a year:

   the annual course of the sun.

5. Entomology. living or lasting but one season or year, as certain insects or colonies of insects.

noun

1. Botany. a plant living only one year or season.
2. a book, report, etc., published annually.

annual

/ ˈænjʊəl /

adjective

1. occurring, done, etc, once a year or every year; yearly

   an annual income

2. lasting for a year

   an annual subscription

noun

1. a plant that completes its life cycle in less than one year Compare perennial biennial
2. a book, magazine, etc, published once every year

annual

/ ăn′yo̅o̅-əl /

Adjective

1. Completing a life cycle in one growing season.

Noun

1. An annual plant. Annuals germinate, blossom, produce seed, and die in one growing season. They are common in environments with short growing seasons. Most desert plants are annuals, germinating and flowering after rainfall. Many common weeds, wild flowers, garden flowers, and vegetables are annuals. Examples of annuals include tomatoes, corn, wheat, sunflowers, petunias, and zinnias.
2. Compare biennial

Derived Forms

• ˈannually, adverb

Other Words From

• annu·al·ly adverb
• inter·annu·al adjective
• inter·annu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of annual¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin annuālis, equivalent to Latin annu ( us ) yearly (derivative of annus circuit of the sun, year) + -ālis -al ¹; replacing Middle English annuel < Anglo-French < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of annual¹

C14: from Late Latin annuālis, from Latin annuus yearly, from annus year

Example Sentences

Even after moving its headquarters, the company will continue to stage annual seasons at its current home, the London Coliseum.

From BBC

All the scenarios result in lower annual farm profits by year 30 of the simulations.

From Science Daily

Children in Need raised more than £39 million in its annual broadcast on Friday.

From BBC

We hope it goes on to be an annual event and are honored to be included on the maiden voyage.”

From Los Angeles Times

The sequins and cowboy hats were out in force as thousands of people descended on Nashville for the annual awards.

From BBC

Related Words

• yearlong