leaf

1 of 2

noun

ˈlēf

plural leaves ˈlēvz

also leafs ˈlēfs

often attributive

Synonyms of leaf next

a(1)

: a lateral (see lateral entry 1 sense 2) outgrowth from a plant stem that is typically a flattened expanded variably shaped greenish organ, constitutes a unit of the foliage, and functions primarily in food manufacture by photosynthesis

(2)

: a modified leaf (such as a bract or sepal) primarily engaged in functions other than food manufacture

b(1)

: foliage

trees in full leaf

(2)

: the leaves of a plant as an article of commerce

: something suggestive of a leaf: such as

: a part of a book or folded sheet containing a page on each side

b(1)

: a part (as of window shutters, folding doors, or gates) that slides or is hinged

(2)

: the movable parts of a table top

added a leaf to the table to accommodate more people

c(1)

: a thin sheet or plate of any substance : lamina

(2)

: metal (such as gold or silver) in sheets usually thinner than foil

(3)

: one of the plates of a leaf spring

leafless

ˈlēf-ləs

adjective

leaflike

ˈlēf-ˌlīk

adjective

Illustration of leaf

1 needle-shaped
2 linear
3 lanceolate
4 elliptical
5 ensiform
6 oblong
7 oblanceolate with acuminate tip
8 ovate with acute tip
9 obovate
10 spatulate
11 fiddle-shaped
12 cuneate
13 deltoid
14 cordate
15 reniform
16 orbiculate
17 runcinate
18 lyrate
19 peltate
20 hastate
21 sagittate
22 odd-pinnate
23 abruptly pinnate
24 trifoliolate
25 26 palmate

leaf

2 of 2

verb

leafed; leafing; leafs

intransitive verb

: to shoot out or produce leaves

will leaf out in spring

: to turn over pages especially to browse or skim

leaf through a book

transitive verb

: to turn over the pages of

Examples of leaf in a Sentence

Noun I heard the rustle of the autumn leaves. a pile of dead leaves The trees drop their leaves in the fall, and new leaves grow again in the spring. The trees have not yet come into leaf. Verb we must have spent hours leafing through wallpaper books before we found something we both liked

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

As the sun and Saturn harmonize, turning over a new leaf means releasing old baggage. —

USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024 The damage from these insects usually occurs in late spring to early summer and causes discoloration of the leaves in addition to early leaf drop. —

Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

Verb

Such a cacophony means that the reader keeps having to leaf back to make sense of the storyline. —

Ruth Margalit, The New York Review of Books, 30 Mar. 2023 The trees should leaf out normally. —

oregonlive, 11 June 2022 See all Example Sentences for leaf

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English leef, from Old English lēaf; akin to Old High German loub leaf

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of leaf was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing leaf

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaf. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

leaf

1 of 2 noun

ˈlēf

plural leaves ˈlēvz

: one of the green usually flat parts that grow from a stem or twig of a plant and that function mainly in making food by photosynthesis

: foliage

trees in full leaf

: a part of a book or folded sheet containing a page on each side

: a part (as of window shutters) that slides or is hinged

: the movable or additional part of a table top

: a thin sheet (as of metal)

leafless

ˈlē-fləs

adjective

leaflike

ˈlē-ˌflīk

adjective

leaf

2 of 2 verb

: to produce leaves

: to turn the pages of a book

Medical Definition

leaf

noun

ˈlēf

: a thin layer or sheet of tissue

the anterior leaf of the coronary ligament

Last Updated: 13 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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leaf

noun

Illustration of leaf

verb

Synonyms

Examples of leaf in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near leaf

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition