adjective
deciduous
dih-SID-yoo-uss
Deciduous (adjective) means of a tree or shrub: shedding all its leaves each year, usually in autumn, and growing new ones in spring. Example: “Oak, maple and birch are deciduous, so the wood is bare by November.”
adjective
1
Of a tree or shrub: shedding all its leaves each year, usually in autumn, and growing new ones in spring.
"Oak, maple and birch are deciduous, so the wood is bare by November."
"They planted a deciduous hedge that turns copper in October."
2
Of a part of an animal or plant: falling off naturally at a particular stage of growth or season.
"A child's deciduous teeth are replaced by permanent ones from about the age of six."
"Deer shed their antlers, which are deciduous."
How to use deciduous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoses its leaves every year.
When to use it
Neutral; standard in biology, gardening and dentistry.
Memory tip
Deciduous and coniferous are not opposites: larch is a conifer that is also deciduous.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
evergreen →
coniferous
Common pairings
deciduous tree
deciduous woodland
deciduous forest
deciduous teeth
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Oak, maple and birch are _____, so the wood is bare by November.
Etymology
From Latin deciduus 'falling off', from decidere, formed from de- 'down' and cadere 'to fall'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deciduous
See all rhymes for deciduous →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees?
Deciduous trees drop all their leaves at once each year and stand bare for a season. Evergreens keep leaves or needles all year round, shedding and replacing them a few at a time so they never look bare.
Are deciduous teeth the same as baby teeth?
Yes. Deciduous teeth is the dental term for the first set of about twenty teeth, also called milk teeth or baby teeth, which fall out to make room for adult teeth.
Why do deciduous trees lose their leaves?
Dropping leaves saves water and energy through the cold, dark months, when photosynthesis would return little and frozen ground makes water hard to draw up.
What is the meaning of deciduous?
"deciduous" (adjective) means of a tree or shrub: shedding all its leaves each year, usually in autumn, and growing new ones in spring.
