deciduous

[ dih-sij-oo-uhs ]

adjective

1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.
3. not permanent; transitory.

deciduous

/ dɪˈsɪdjʊəs /

adjective

1. (of trees and shrubs) shedding all leaves annually at the end of the growing season and then having a dormant period without leaves Compare evergreen
2. (of antlers, wings, teeth, etc) being shed at the end of a period of growth
3. rare.
   impermanent; transitory Compare evergreen

deciduous

/ dĭ-sĭj′o̅o̅-əs /

1. Shedding leaves at the end of a growing season and regrowing them at the beginning of the next growing season. Most deciduous plants bear flowers and have woody stems and broad rather than needlelike leaves. Maples, oaks, elms, and aspens are deciduous.
2. Compare evergreenSee more at abscission
3. Falling off or shed at a particular season or stage of growth, as antlers.

Derived Forms

• deˈciduousness, noun
• deˈciduously, adverb

Other Words From

• de·cidu·ous·ly adverb
• de·cidu·ous·ness noun
• nonde·cidu·ous adjective
• nonde·cidu·ous·ly adverb
• nonde·cidu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deciduous¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin dēciduus “tending to fall, falling,” equivalent to dēcid(ere) “to fall off, down” ( dē- verb prefix of removal) + -cidere (combining form of cadere “to fall”) + -uus adjective suffix. See de-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of deciduous¹

C17: from Latin dēciduus falling off, from dēcidere to fall down, from cadere to fall

Example Sentences

This sweet spot happens in September, just before the deciduous trees start flaming all-out crimson.

From Outside Online

The Trace slices through eastern deciduous forests, cave-rich limestone landscapes, and, farther south, bayous and cypress swamps alongside slow-moving rivers.

From Outside Online

Bordering the Pacific Ocean, the rainforest region of the peninsula is filled with deciduous old-growth, moss-laden forests that sparkle amidst the infamous drizzle of the Pacific Northwest.

From The Daily Beast

Winter is the optimum time to prune most deciduous woody plants, when they are dormant and their branch architecture is most evident.

From Washington Post

It is the deciduous, woody plants that give a place its sense of seasonality and vitality.

From Washington Post

However, they were not seen to venture far into the surrounding deciduous forest.

From Project Gutenberg

Hardwood trees shed their leaves annually, and they are called deciduous trees.

From Project Gutenberg

This is known as the "deciduous" habit, and such trees are called deciduous trees, in distinction from "evergreen" trees.

From Project Gutenberg

It will grow and has been found on almost any deciduous tree, preferring those with soft bark, and growing very seldom on the Oak.

From Project Gutenberg

At any rate, it is the only deciduous tree I know of that does not let go the old seed till the new is well on the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brief
• ephemeral
• fleeting
• momentary
• short-term
• temporary
• transitory