autumn
AW-tuhm
Autumn (noun) means the season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop. Example: “Hedgehogs eat as much as they can in autumn before they hibernate.”
noun
1
The season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop.
"Hedgehogs eat as much as they can in autumn before they hibernate."
"The trees turn gold and red every autumn."
"We moved into the new house in early autumn."
2
A period when something is past its peak, on its way toward decline.
"The old actor was in the autumn of his life, performing less often."
"The factory town entered its autumn as the last mills closed."
"Critics called it the autumn of his career."
How to use autumn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe season of falling leaves and cooling weather, between summer and winter.
UK vs US
British English favours "autumn"; American English more often uses "fall" in everyday speech.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
autumn leaves
early autumn
the autumn of his life
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Word forms
- Plural
- autumns
- Third person singular
- autumns
- Past tense
- autumned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hedgehogs eat as much as they can in _____ before they hibernate.
Etymology
From Old French automne, ultimately from Latin autumnus.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “autumn” mean?
The word “autumn” means the season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop. In plain terms, the season of falling leaves and cooling weather, between summer and winter.
How do you pronounce “autumn”?
“Autumn” is pronounced AW-tuhm (/ˈɔtəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “autumn” in a sentence?
Here is “autumn” used in a sentence: “The trees turn gold and red every autumn.”
What part of speech is “autumn”?
“Autumn” is a noun.
Where does the word “autumn” come from?
The word “autumn” comes from Latin. From Old French automne, ultimately from Latin autumnus.
Is “autumn” a common word?
“Autumn” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “autumn” have?
“Autumn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop.
What is the difference between "autumn" and "fall"?
"Autumn" and "fall" name the same season between summer and winter. "Autumn" is the more common word in British English, while "fall" is more common in American English.
What months are in autumn?
In the Northern Hemisphere autumn usually covers September, October, and November, when leaves fall and temperatures drop. In the Southern Hemisphere the same season runs roughly through March, April, and May.
Is "autumn" capitalized?
The names of seasons, including "autumn," are not capitalized in ordinary writing. You would only capitalize it at the start of a sentence or when it forms part of a proper name or title.
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