noun Uncommon

fern

furn

Fern (noun) means a leafy green plant with no flowers or seeds that reproduces by releasing tiny spores, often found in shady, damp places. Example: “Ferns grew thick along the shaded riverbank.”

noun

A leafy green plant with no flowers or seeds that reproduces by releasing tiny spores, often found in shady, damp places.

"Ferns grew thick along the shaded riverbank."

"She kept a potted fern on the windowsill."

How to use fern

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA green, leafy plant with feathery fronds that grows from spores rather than seeds or flowers.

Common pairings

a fern frond potted fern ferns and mosses

Word forms

ferns plural, Ferns plural

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ grew thick along the shaded riverbank.

Etymology

From Old English fearn, tracing back to a very old Indo-European word for "feather" or "leaf" — a nod to the plant's feathery fronds.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for fern

ern Bern kern CERN Vern stern

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Frequently asked questions

What does “fern” mean?

The word “fern” means a leafy green plant with no flowers or seeds that reproduces by releasing tiny spores, often found in shady, damp places. In plain terms, a green, leafy plant with feathery fronds that grows from spores rather than seeds or flowers.

How do you pronounce “fern”?

“Fern” is pronounced furn (/fɝn/ in IPA).

How do you use “fern” in a sentence?

Here is “fern” used in a sentence: “Ferns grew thick along the shaded riverbank.”

What part of speech is “fern”?

“Fern” is a noun.

Where does the word “fern” come from?

The word “fern” comes from Old English. From Old English fearn, tracing back to a very old Indo-European word for "feather" or "leaf" — a nod to the plant's feathery fronds.

Is “fern” a common word?

“Fern” is an uncommon word in modern English.