noun
maple
MAY-puhl
noun
1
A tree known for its lobed leaves and winged seed pods, many species of which turn brilliant colors in autumn.
"The maples along the street turned bright red in October."
2
The wood of this tree, prized for furniture and flooring because it is hard and finely grained.
"The kitchen table was made of solid maple."
3
The sweet flavor of maple sap, most familiar in maple syrup.
"She drizzled maple over her pancakes."
How to Use Maple
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe maple tree — famous for its autumn color, hard wood, and sweet syrup — and by extension anything flavored like it.
Common pairings
maple syrup
maple leaf
maple wood
sugar maple
Word Forms
maples plural
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Etymology
From Old English mapul-, the same root seen in words like "mapulder" — a very old Germanic name for the tree, related to words in Old Norse and Old High German for the same tree.