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)

leafleted, leafletted, leafleting, leafletting. 

1. to distribute leaflets or handbills to or among.

   Campaign workers leafleted shoppers at the mall.

verb (used without object)

leafleted, leafletted, leafleting, leafletting. 

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

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

Other Word Forms

• leafleter noun
• leafletter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaflet¹

First recorded in 1780–90; leaf + -let

Example Sentences

Ahead of the attack on Sussi Tower, the Israeli air force had dropped leaflets ordering residents to leave.

From BBC

GSK told the BBC it had shared these findings with health authorities, included this safety advice in medication leaflets, and conducted extensive trials for the drug which has been prescribed for 17 million treatments.

From BBC

On Sunday, the Israeli military dropped leaflets from the sky ordering people in several districts in southwest Deir al-Balah to leave their homes and head further south.

From BBC

"I left the hospital the next day with him and a leaflet," she added.

From BBC

If the product is very small, the ingredients may be listed on a leaflet.

From BBC

Related Words

• advertisement 
• brochure 
• bulletin 
• flyer 
• pamphlet