foliage

[ foh-lee-ij ]

noun

1. the leaves of a plant, collectively; leafage.
2. leaves in general.
3. the representation of leaves, flowers, and branches in painting, architectural ornament, etc.

foliage

/ ˈfəʊlɪɪdʒ /

noun

1. the green leaves of a plant
2. sprays of leaves used for decoration
3. an ornamental leaflike design

Derived Forms

• ˈfoliaged, adjective

Other Words From

• foli·aged adjective
• un·foli·aged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foliage¹

1400–50; late Middle English foilage < Middle French fueillage, foillage, derivative of feuille leaf; influenced by Latin folium folium. See foil ², -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of foliage¹

C15: from Old French fuellage , from fuelle leaf; influenced in form by Latin folium

Example Sentences

Bonnett remembers that as a kid in London, he and his brother would construct little hideouts under the foliage.

From The Daily Beast

Think Brooklyn, with better foliage and much better manners.

From The Daily Beast

A silverback is munching contently and endlessly on foliage.

From The Daily Beast

Why should certain chords in music make me think of the brown and golden tints of autumn foliage?

From The Daily Beast

The route is dense with foliage, all splashed in vivid hues of burgundy, gold, and amber.

From The Daily Beast

This will often save the foliage from drying up, a happening which makes the plants rather unsightly.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course, most specimens are probably taken up in the summer when the handsome foliage attracts the eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Out of the darkening sky rang the twanging call of a night-hawk, and the cluck of a dozing hen sounded from the foliage overhead.

From Project Gutenberg

But the fronds of a palm-tree in the wind produce a noise that is unlike the rustle of any other foliage in the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom jumped behind a bush, and as they passed tried to fire, but the foliage was so dense that he failed to get a good aim.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vegetation