perennial

[ puh-ren-ee-uhl ]
See synonyms for: perennialperennials on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: As my grandmother aged, I marveled at her perennial beauty.

  2. (of plants) having a life cycle lasting more than two years.

  1. lasting or continuing throughout the entire year: The interpretive boardwalk follows a perennial stream through the marsh to the lake.

  2. arising repeatedly or always existing; perpetual; recurrent: Tie dye is a perennial hit with children of all ages.The perennial rivalry between the two colleges ramps up during football season.

  3. Sometimes Perennial . relating to or being an older person, especially one whose mindset, lifestyle, skills, or interests defy generational labels and stereotypes; ageless: Many companies are seeking to retain their perennial workers so as not to lose institutional history.This writer is a Perennial thinker, which is why he is successful and yet not really popular.

noun
  1. a plant with a life cycle lasting more than two years: Daffodils and tulips are perennials.

  2. something that is continuing, recurring, or enduring: Classical literature remains a perennial in liberal arts classrooms.

  1. Sometimes Perennial . an older person, especially one whose mindset, lifestyle, skills, or interests defy generational labels and stereotypes: At 81, the mayor calls herself a Perennial with no plans to retire.

Origin of perennial

1
First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin perenni(s) “lasting the whole year through” (per- per- + -enn-, stem of annus “year” + -is, adjective suffix) + -al1

Other words for perennial

Other words from perennial

  • per·en·ni·al·i·ty [puh-ren-ee-al-i-tee], /pəˌrɛn iˈæl ɪ ti/, noun
  • per·en·ni·al·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with perennial

Words Nearby perennial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use perennial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perennial

perennial

/ (pəˈrɛnɪəl) /


adjective
  1. lasting throughout the year or through many years

  2. everlasting; perpetual

noun
  1. a woody or herbaceous plant that can continue its growth for at least two years: Compare annual (def. 3), biennial (def. 3)

Origin of perennial

1
C17: from Latin perennis continual, from per through + annus year

Derived forms of perennial

  • perennially, adverb

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 perennial

perennial

[ pə-rĕnē-əl ]


Adjective
  1. Living for three or more years.

Noun
  1. A perennial plant. Herbaceous perennials survive winter and drought as underground roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. Woody perennials, including vines, shrubs, and trees, usually stop growing during winter and drought. Asters, irises, tulips, and peonies are familiar garden perennials. Compare annual biennial.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.