adjective
deciduous
dih-SIJ-oo-us/dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/
Shedding or being shed naturally after a period of growth.
The deciduous maple loses its leaves before growing new ones.
Etymology
The pieces express falling down or off. The adjective first described things that fall away at a particular stage, then came to describe trees and shrubs whose leaves fall each year.
In context
azaleas can be deciduous meaning they lose their leaves each year or evergreen which means they keep their leaves year-round
More examples
- Children lose their deciduous teeth as permanent teeth emerge.
- A deer's antlers are deciduous and grow back each year.
- Deciduous trees provide summer shade but let winter sunlight through.
Forms
deciduous
Similar words
- leaf-shedding
- Applies specifically to plants losing leaves, not teeth or antlers.
- temporary
- Means lasting a limited time, not necessarily being naturally shed.