noun
Uncommon
elm
ehlm
Elm (noun) means a tall deciduous tree with broad, ridged leaves, once common as a shade tree along streets. Example: “A row of old elms lined the avenue before disease killed most of them.”
noun
1
A tall deciduous tree with broad, ridged leaves, once common as a shade tree along streets.
"A row of old elms lined the avenue before disease killed most of them."
2
The wood of this tree, used in furniture and construction.
"The table was made from solid elm."
How to use elm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large shade tree with ridged leaves, or timber from that tree.
Common mistake
Many elm populations were devastated by Dutch elm disease, a fungal infection — worth knowing if the word comes up in a historical or environmental context.
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Word forms
- Plural
- elms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A row of old _____ lined the avenue before disease killed most of them.
Etymology
From Old English elm, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European word for the tree.
Synonyms
View more →
elmwood
elm tree
Related words
Rhymes for elm
See all rhymes for elm →Frequently asked questions
What does “elm” mean?
The word “elm” means a tall deciduous tree with broad, ridged leaves, once common as a shade tree along streets. In plain terms, a large shade tree with ridged leaves, or timber from that tree.
How do you pronounce “elm”?
“Elm” is pronounced ehlm (/ɛlm/ in IPA).
How do you use “elm” in a sentence?
Here is “elm” used in a sentence: “A row of old elms lined the avenue before disease killed most of them.”
What part of speech is “elm”?
“Elm” is a noun.
Where does the word “elm” come from?
The word “elm” comes from Old English. From Old English elm, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European word for the tree.
Is “elm” a common word?
“Elm” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “elm” have?
“Elm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall deciduous tree with broad, ridged leaves, once common as a shade tree along streets.
