ferny

[ fur-nee ]

adjective

, fern·i·er, fern·i·est.

1. pertaining to, consisting of, or like ferns:

   ferny leaves.

2. abounding in or overgrown with ferns:

   ferny undergrowth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferny¹

First recorded in 1515–25; fern + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Dill’s ferny foliage has also been shown to protect broccoli from imported cabbage worms, reducing their egg-laying behavior.

From New York Times

Don’t let those ferny leaves and delicate pink blossoms fool you; this one’s a stinker.

From Seattle Times

He is also partial to dill’s yellow umbels, its ferny texture and its inclination to sow around.

From New York Times

The garden’s blowsy beauty is enhanced by plants left to go to seed, like the ferny fluffs of asparagus and fennel, and the tumbled masses of red- and gold-tinged orach.

From Seattle Times

She gave Big Pinch a long, ferny branch to wave and made him sit next to the berries.

From Literature