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noun A1 Beginner Common

autumn

AW-tuhm

Autumn (noun) means the season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop. Example: “The trees turn gold and red every autumn.”

noun
1
The season between summer and winter, when leaves fall and temperatures start to drop.
"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.
"Critics called it the autumn of his career."

How to use autumn

Learner’s notes

In 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.

Common pairings
autumn leaves early autumn the autumn of his life

Word forms

autumned past tense, autumns plural, Autumns plural, autumns singular

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Test yourself on “autumn” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The trees turn gold and red every _____.

Etymology

From Old French automne, ultimately from Latin autumnus.

Origin: Latin

fall harvest fall season

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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