leaf

[ leef ]

/ lif /

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See synonyms for leaf on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural leaves

[leevz]. /livz/.

one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.

any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.

a petal: a rose leaf.

leaves collectively; foliage.

Bibliography. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side.

a thin sheet of metal: silver leaf.

a lamina or layer.

a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a door or tabletop.

a section of a drawbridge.

a single strip of metal in a leaf spring.

a tooth of a small gear wheel, as of a pinion.

leaf fat.

Textiles. shaft (def. 14).

verb (used without object)

to put forth leaves.

to turn pages, especially quickly (usually followed by through): to leaf through a book.

verb (used with object)

to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine, in a casual or cursory inspection of the contents.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about leaf

in leaf, covered with foliage; having leaves: the pale green tint of the woods newly in leaf.

take a leaf out of / from someone's book, to follow someone's example; imitate: Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now doing very well for themselves.

turn over a new leaf, to begin anew; make a fresh start: Every New Year's we make resolutions to turn over a new leaf.

Origin of leaf

First recorded before 900; Middle English leef, lef, Old English lēaf; cognate with Dutch loof, German Laub, Old Norse lauf, Gothic laufs

OTHER WORDS FROM leaf

leafless, adjectiveleaflike, adjectiveun·leaf, verb (used with object)un·leaf·like, adjective

Other definitions for leaf (2 of 2)

Leaf

[ leef ]

/ lif /

noun

Mun·ro

[muhn-roh], /mʌnˈroʊ/, 1905–76, U.S. author and illustrator of books for children.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use leaf in a sentence

“Rudy dried himself off by standing in front of a leaf blower from Four Seasons Total Landscaping,” Fallon joked.
‘Our voting system is fine. ... It’s Rudy that’s broken’: Late-night hosts mock Giuliani’s ‘insane’ news conference|Andrea Salcedo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
In the laboratory, researchers watched as roaming caterpillars looking for a hard-to-find meal started head-butting and lunging at fellow caterpillars munching on a milkweed leaf.
Monarch caterpillars head-butt each other to fight for scarce food|Curtis Segarra|November 19, 2020|Science News
In these shots below, you’ll notice that the trees in the background are, in fact, blurrier with the 12 Pro Max, but the leaf pattern looks a bit harsh and crunchy.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max might be worth it—for the camera alone|Stan Horaczek|November 10, 2020|Popular-Science
Reducing leaf litter means less protection for the creatures that live on the forest floor.
Jumping ‘snake worms’ are invading U.S. forests|Megan Sever|November 9, 2020|Science News For Students

The scientists played bat calls toward a leaf with and without a dragonfly and recorded the echoes.
Here’s what bats ‘see’ when they explore the world with sound|Carolyn Wilke|October 29, 2020|Science News For Students
Whether it comes in the form of liquids, protein shakes, chocolate bars, or leafs of kale, food is energy.
Will Food Waste Power Your Home?|The Daily Beast|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then try to get a ticket for a Maple Leafs match, to watch the breakneck brutality in action.
Where to Win Your Own Winter Olympics|Lonely Planet|January 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In April, some 7,000 electric cars or plug-in hybrids—Chevy Volts, Nissan Leafs, and Teslas—were sold.
Farewell to the Gas Station: The Demise of a Car-Culture Icon|Daniel Gross|May 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In April, Nissan delivered 1,937 Leafs and Chevrolet sold 1,306 Volts.
Nissan Leaf Leads Growth in April Electric Car Sales|Miranda Green|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Over the first nine months of the year, 9,674 Leafs and 7,671 Volts were sold.
A123 Goes Chapter 11|Robert Bryce|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
That Pisistratus did so is Mr. Leafs theory, but there is not a hint about anybody collecting anything in the Greek.
Homer and His Age|Andrew Lang
East Wellmouth lost thirty-two big silver-leafs and the only two elms it had.
Galusha the Magnificent|Joseph C. Lincoln
There, screened by the thicket of young silver-leafs, she stopped momentarily and looked into his face.
The Portygee|Joseph Crosby Lincoln
I saw a good deal of the deaconess in charge of the Maple Leafs.
Across the Prairie in a Motor Caravan|Frances Halton Eva Hasell
Certainly, maamanything you like, beamed Mr Papingay, swelling with pride at his own and the leafs importance.
Knock Three Times!|Marion St. John Webb

British Dictionary definitions for leaf

leaf

/ (liːf) /

noun plural leaves (liːvz)

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants, usually consisting of a flat green blade attached to the stem directly or by a stalkRelated adjectives: foliar, foliate

foliage collectively

in leaf (of shrubs, trees, etc) having a full complement of foliage leaves

one of the sheets of paper in a book

a hinged, sliding, or detachable part, such as an extension to a table

metal in the form of a very thin flexible sheetgold leaf

a foil or thin strip of metal in a composite material; lamina

short for leaf spring

the inner or outer wall of a cavity wall

a crop that is harvested in the form of leaves

a metal strip forming one of the laminations in a leaf spring

a slang word for marijuana

take a leaf out of someone's book or take a leaf from someone's book to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action

turn over a new leaf to begin a new and improved course of behaviour

verb

(when intr, usually foll by through) to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily

(intr) (of plants) to produce leaves

Derived forms of leaf

leafless, adjectiveleaflessness, nounleaflike, adjective

Word Origin for leaf

Old English; related to Gothic laufs, Icelandic lauf

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for leaf

leaf

[ lēf ]

An appendage growing from the stem of a plant. Leaves are extremely variable in form and function according to species. For example, the needles of pine trees, the spines of cacti, and the bright red parts of the poinsettia plant are all leaves modified for different purposes. However, most leaves are flat and green and adapted to capturing sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They consist of an outer tissue layer (the epidermis) through which water and gases are exchanged, a spongy inner layer of cells that contain chloroplasts, and veins that supply water and minerals and carry out food. Some leaves are simple, while others are compound, consisting of multiple leaflets. The flat part of the leaf, the blade, is often attached to the stem by a leafstalk.

Other Idioms and Phrases with leaf

leaf

In addition to the idiom beginning with leaf

leaf through

also see:

quake in one's boots (like a leaf)
take a leaf out of someone's book
turn over a new leaf

leaf

Idioms about leaf

Origin of leaf

OTHER WORDS FROM leaf

Other definitions for leaf (2 of 2)

Words related to leaf

How to use leaf in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leaf

Derived forms of leaf

Word Origin for leaf

Scientific definitions for leaf

Other Idioms and Phrases with leaf