evergreen

American  

[ev-er-green] / ˈɛv ərˌgrin /

adjective

1. (of trees, shrubs, etc.) having green leaves throughout the entire year, the leaves of the past season not being shed until after the new foliage has been completely formed.

2. retaining its relevance, popularity, usefulness, etc.; enduring.

   Some toys are evergreen favorites.

3. Law. (of a contract or contract clause) specifying automatic renewal at the end of the term.

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noun

• evergreens
  plural

1. an evergreen plant.

2. evergreens, evergreen twigs or branches used for decoration.

3. something that is evergreen, or enduringly fresh.

   The paper publishes decorating tips or other archived evergreens on slow news days.

evergreen British  

/ ˈɛvəˌɡriːn /

adjective

1. (of certain trees and shrubs) bearing foliage throughout the year; continually shedding and replacing leaves Compare deciduous

2. remaining fresh and vital

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noun

1. an evergreen tree or shrub

evergreen Scientific  

/ ĕv′ər-grēn′ /

1. Having green leaves or needles all year. Evergreen trees lose their leaves individually on an ongoing basis, rather than losing all of them in a short period at the end of a growing season in the manner of deciduous trees.

2. Compare deciduous

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1. An evergreen tree, shrub, or plant, such as the pine, holly, or rhododendron.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• evergreens
  plural

Etymology

Origin of evergreen

First recorded in 1545–55; ever + green

Explanation

An evergreen is a tree or plant that doesn't shed its leaves in the winter, but stays green all year. A Christmas tree is an evergreen. Even in the middle of winter, when so many trees in cold climates have bare branches, evergreens brighten up the landscape with vibrant green needles or leaves. Fir trees, holly bushes, and eucalyptus shrubs are all examples of evergreens. You can describe all of them using evergreen as an adjective as well: "I made the wreath using evergreen branches."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

evergreen evergreens

Researchers found the species in an evergreen forest within Mae Wong National Park, in Tak-Kamphaeng Phet Province, at elevations above 1,300 meters.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

Industry watcher Sensor Tower’s grossing data has shown a year-over-year growth uptick since June, reflecting solid momentum from evergreen titles such as “Fantasy Westward Journey” and “Eggy Party,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

While the tech has changed since then, the principles the court trumpeted today are evergreen.

From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026

The evergreen attacker is the third-highest goalscorer in Croatia's history, two behind Ivan Perisic and nine off Davor Suker's record prior to the World Cup.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Japanese forest composition varies with latitude and altitude: evergreen leafy forest in the south at low altitude, deciduous leafy forest in central Japan, and coniferous forest in the north and at high altitude.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

The cool blues of “Winter” are raked through with rich purple, as hints of evergreens creep in from the edges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

Ancient civilizations celebrated the winter solstice with evergreens and fires to mark the triumph of light over darkness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2024

“Be honest,” Dimon said, sitting against a backdrop of snow-dusted evergreens, dressed casually in a dark blazer and polo shirt.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2024

In other words, our Christmas evergreens are actually not that "green" at all.

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2023

Now, she’s past Leschi and then Seward Park, and it’s a little creepy out that way, with the lake a deep indigo and the big evergreens shaking their boughs overhead.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

• fir
• hedge
• pine