adj Uncommon

perennial

puh-REHN-ih-uhl

Perennial (adj) means lasting for a very long time or recurring continually. Example: “Traffic congestion is a perennial problem in the city centre.”

adj

Lasting for a very long time or recurring continually.

"Traffic congestion is a perennial problem in the city centre."

"She has a perennial optimism that nothing seems to shake."

Of a plant: living for more than two years, regrowing each season.

"Lavender is a perennial plant that comes back every spring."

noun

A plant that lives for several years, as opposed to an annual.

"The garden was full of hardy perennials that needed little care."

How to use perennial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that keeps coming back or lasts a long time — describing either a recurring issue or a plant that survives year after year.

Easily confused with

annual → biennial →

Common pairings

perennial favourite perennial problem perennial plant

Word forms

perennials plural

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Traffic congestion is a _____ problem in the city centre.

Etymology

From Latin perennis, "lasting through the year", from per- ("throughout") + annus ("year").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for perennial

dial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial menial

See all rhymes for perennial →

Frequently asked questions

What does “perennial” mean?

The word “perennial” means lasting for a very long time or recurring continually. In plain terms, something that keeps coming back or lasts a long time — describing either a recurring issue or a plant that survives year after year.

How do you pronounce “perennial”?

“Perennial” is pronounced puh-REHN-ih-uhl (/pəˈɹɛn.j(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “perennial” in a sentence?

Here is “perennial” used in a sentence: “Traffic congestion is a perennial problem in the city centre.”

What part of speech is “perennial”?

Depending on how it is used, “perennial” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “perennial” come from?

The word “perennial” comes from Latin. From Latin perennis, "lasting through the year", from per- ("throughout") + annus ("year").

Is “perennial” a common word?

“Perennial” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “perennial” have?

“Perennial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lasting for a very long time or recurring continually.