maple
MAY-puhl
Maple (noun) means a tree known for its lobed leaves and winged seed pods, many species of which turn brilliant colors in autumn. Example: “The maples along the street turned bright red in October.”
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."
"Children collected the fallen leaves from the maple in the school playground."
"A tall maple shaded the front garden all summer."
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."
"The new floor is pale maple, which makes the whole room look brighter."
"He chose maple for the cupboards because it is so hard and smooth."
3
The sweet flavor of maple sap, most familiar in maple syrup.
"She drizzled maple over her pancakes."
"The porridge had a gentle taste of maple and cinnamon."
"This ice cream has a rich maple flavour that goes well with nuts."
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like maple.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- maples
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ along the street turned bright red in October.
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.
Rhymes for maple
See all rhymes for maple →Frequently asked questions
What does “maple” mean?
The word “maple” means a tree known for its lobed leaves and winged seed pods, many species of which turn brilliant colors in autumn. In plain terms, the maple tree — famous for its autumn color, hard wood, and sweet syrup — and by extension anything flavored like it.
How do you pronounce “maple”?
“Maple” is pronounced MAY-puhl (/ˈmeɪ.pəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “maple” in a sentence?
Here is “maple” used in a sentence: “The maples along the street turned bright red in October.”
What part of speech is “maple”?
“Maple” is a noun.
Where does the word “maple” come from?
The word “maple” comes from Old English. 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.
Is “maple” a common word?
“Maple” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “maple” have?
“Maple” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree known for its lobed leaves and winged seed pods, many species of which turn brilliant colors in autumn.
What is the difference between maple wood and maple syrup?
Maple wood refers to the hard, finely grained timber from the maple tree, prized for furniture and flooring, while maple syrup refers to the sweet flavor derived from the tree's sap. Both come from the same tree but describe entirely different products.
Why is maple wood popular for furniture and flooring?
Maple wood is valued because it is hard and finely grained, which makes it durable and gives it a smooth, attractive finish. These qualities make it well suited to withstand daily wear in furniture and flooring.
Why do maple trees turn bright colors in autumn?
Many maple species are known for turning brilliant colors in autumn, a trait that makes them especially recognizable compared to other trees. This seasonal color change is one of the maple's most familiar characteristics, alongside its distinctive lobed leaves and winged seed pods.
