leaflet

[ leef-lit ]

noun

1. a small flat or folded sheet of printed matter, as an advertisement or notice, usually intended for free distribution.
2. one of the separate blades or divisions of a compound leaf.
3. a small leaflike part or structure.
4. a small or young leaf.

verb (used with object)

, leaf·let·ed or leaf·let·ted, leaf·let·ing or leaf·let·ting.

1. to distribute leaflets or handbills to or among:

   Campaign workers leafleted shoppers at the mall.

verb (used without object)

, leaf·let·ed or leaf·let·ted, leaf·let·ing or leaf·let·ting.

1. to distribute leaflets.

leaflet

/ ˈliːflɪt /

noun

1. a printed and usually folded sheet of paper for distribution, usually free and containing advertising material or information about a political party, charity, etc
2. any of the subdivisions of a compound leaf such as a fern leaf
3. (loosely) any small leaf or leaflike part

verb

1. to distribute printed leaflets (to)

   they leafleted every flat in the area

leaflet

/ lē′flĭt /

1. A small leaf or leaflike part, especially one of the blades or divisions of a compound leaf.

Derived Forms

• ˈleafleter, noun

Other Words From

• leaflet·er leaflet·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaflet¹

First recorded in 1780–90; leaf + -let

Example Sentences

Schumer knew how to run the mimeograph machine that cranked out leaflets in the local campaign office, so they made him deputy manager.

From Time

Fodor interrogated prisoners of war and wrote propaganda leaflets that were dropped in enemy territory.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, the union stationed organizers outside the warehouse to answer questions and hand out leaflets to workers as their ended their shifts.

From Washington Post

If you and I are both advertising pizzas, and you go out on the streets and hand out leaflets, but I go to the lobby of a pizza pickup joint, it looks like I’ve got a 100% success rate, but they’re already coming there to buy the pizzas.

From Time

It’s also pressing its case with leaflets and mandated anti-union meetings.

From Washington Post

Bogucki includes the leaflet in a Powerpoint presentation he has developed.

From The Daily Beast

Morrison handed her a “Yes” campaign leaflet printed in Polish.

From The Daily Beast

“Thanks to Hugh Holliman, death row inmates could leave prison early and move in next door,” the leaflet said.

From The Daily Beast

The leaflet was thus a lie, though that was hardly surprising in politics.

From The Daily Beast

He felt compelled to issue a statement after seeing the leaflet.

From The Daily Beast

Then she told him of getting the leaflet, then Science and Health, and how she had gradually been won to embrace it.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is a leaflet about the Panama Exposition published in Esperanto.

From Project Gutenberg

Under no circumstances, says a medical leaflet, should flies be allowed in the house.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1893 he issued a leaflet changing the name to Vitis baileyana.

From Project Gutenberg

“Oh, that funny little leaflet,” she tried to say as if it were a joke.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advertisement
• brochure
• bulletin
• flyer
• pamphlet