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

On “Neptuno,” his heart is shattered after a relationship didn’t work out; while on the title track, he details an evergreen love in which a couple keeps finding their way back to each other.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

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

They flew out of the blocks, led by the evergreen Martin Boyle, and had wiped out the two-goal deficit within 15 minutes.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

As an evergreen fund, Spring raises capital monthly while offering existing investors liquidity through quarterly repurchase offers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 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 the past two years, surprisingly high numbers of evergreens died of fungal disease outbreaks in Washington and Oregon.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023

When he slept, which was seldom, it was a quick “cat nap” high in the thick branches of evergreens.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford

Related Words

• fir
• hedge
• pine