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

Vivosun’s aquaponic tank is great for sprucing up the top of your aquarium with a little foliage.

From Popular-Science

The park has 850 different species of wildflowers that put on a spring show rivaling the more popular—and crowded—fall foliage season.

From Outside Online

From sweet and delicious scents like pumpkin vanilla cream to woodsy notes that remind us of beautiful foliage, we’ve picked out a candle for every autumn lover to fall in love with.

From Essence.com

Whether gas-powered or electric, leaf blowers use powerful jets of air to clear fallen foliage.

From Popular-Science

Since the season is putting its colors on display, try to design one that will take you past the best foliage in your area.

From Outside Online

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