noun

larch

LAHCH

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Larch (noun) means a coniferous tree of the genus Larix, whose leaves grow in tufts and are shed each year. Example: “A single larch stood at the edge of the field.”

noun

A coniferous tree of the genus Larix, whose leaves grow in tufts and are shed each year.

"A single larch stood at the edge of the field."

"The larches on the hillside turned a pale gold before losing their needles."

"They planted a row of larches along the drive."

The wood of the larch tree.

"The shed was clad in untreated larch."

"He chose larch for the fence posts."

"The table top is made of larch."

How to use larch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA cone-bearing tree that drops its needles each year, or the wood from it.

When to use it

Larch is an ordinary, neutral word used in both everyday and technical writing.

Memory tip

Say the ch at the end as in church, and remember that larch is a countable tree but an uncountable wood.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

birch → lurch → arch →

Common pairings

a larch tree a larch forest larch cladding a larch fence

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A single _____ stood at the edge of the field.

Etymology

Larch came into English from early modern German, where the word was Larche or Lärche. That form descends from Middle High German and Old High German, which borrowed it early from Latin larix, itself from Ancient Greek.

Origin: German

Synonyms

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larchwood

Rhymes for larch

arch march perch torch birch porch lurch merch church starch scorch

See all rhymes for larch →

Frequently asked questions

What is a larch tree?

A larch is a coniferous tree of the genus Larix. Its leaves grow in tufts and it sheds them, which is unusual for a conifer.

How do you pronounce larch?

In British English it is said as LAHCH, rhyming with march. In General American the r is sounded, giving something like LARCH with a clear r.

Is larch a softwood or hardwood?

Larch is a conifer, and timber from conifers is usually called softwood. The word larch can also refer to this wood itself.

What is the meaning of larch?

"larch" (noun) means a coniferous tree of the genus Larix, whose leaves grow in tufts and are shed each year.