noun

poplar

POP-luh

Poplar (noun) means a tall, fast-growing deciduous tree of the genus Populus, often planted in rows as a windbreak. Example: “A line of poplars marked the edge of the old farm.”

noun

A tall, fast-growing deciduous tree of the genus Populus, often planted in rows as a windbreak.

"A line of poplars marked the edge of the old farm."

"Poplars grow quickly but their wood is fairly soft."

The lightweight wood of this tree.

"The drawer was made of cheap poplar rather than oak."

How to use poplar

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tall, slender tree often planted in rows along fields or roads, also known for its soft, cheap timber.

Common mistake

Not related to the word "popular" despite the similar spelling — the Latin roots are different words that just happen to look alike.

Common pairings

a row of poplars poplar wood poplar tree

Word forms

poplars plural, Poplars plural

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A line of _____ marked the edge of the old farm.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman popler and Old French poplier, ultimately from Latin populus ("poplar tree") — no relation to the unrelated Latin populus meaning "people".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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poplar tree

Frequently asked questions

What does “poplar” mean?

The word “poplar” means a tall, fast-growing deciduous tree of the genus Populus, often planted in rows as a windbreak. In plain terms, a tall, slender tree often planted in rows along fields or roads, also known for its soft, cheap timber.

How do you pronounce “poplar”?

“Poplar” is pronounced POP-luh (/ˈpɑ.plɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “poplar” in a sentence?

Here is “poplar” used in a sentence: “A line of poplars marked the edge of the old farm.”

What part of speech is “poplar”?

“Poplar” is a noun.

Where does the word “poplar” come from?

The word “poplar” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman popler and Old French poplier, ultimately from Latin populus ("poplar tree") — no relation to the unrelated Latin populus meaning "people".

How many meanings does “poplar” have?

“Poplar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall, fast-growing deciduous tree of the genus Populus, often planted in rows as a windbreak.