perennial
[ puh-ren-ee-uhl ]
/ pəˈrɛn i əl /
adjective
lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: her perennial beauty.
(of plants) having a life cycle lasting more than two years.
lasting or continuing throughout the entire year, as a stream.
perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.
noun
a perennial plant: Daffodils and tulips are perennials.
something that is continuing or recurrent.
Origin of perennial
SYNONYMS FOR perennial
OTHER WORDS FROM perennial
per·en·ni·al·i·ty, noun per·en·ni·al·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perennial
annual perennialWords nearby perennial
Example sentences from the Web for perennial
British Dictionary definitions for perennial
perennial
/ (pəˈrɛnɪəl) /
adjective
lasting throughout the year or through many years
everlasting; perpetual
noun
a woody or herbaceous plant that can continue its growth for at least two years
Compare annual (def. 3), biennial (def. 3)
Derived forms of perennial
perennially, adverbWord Origin for perennial
C17: from Latin
perennis continual, from
per through +
annus year
Scientific definitions for perennial
perennial
[ pə-rĕn′ē-əl ]
Adjective
Living for three or more years.
Noun
A perennial plant. Herbaceous perennials survive winter and drought as underground roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. Woody perennials, including vines, shrubs, and trees, usually stop growing during winter and drought. Asters, irises, tulips, and peonies are familiar garden perennials. Compare annual biennial.