deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsi-jə-wəs 

-jü-əs

1

biology : falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle

deciduous leaves

deciduous scales

2

biology

a

: having deciduous parts

maples, birches, and other deciduous trees

deciduous dentition

b

: having the dominant plants deciduous

a deciduous forest

3

: ephemeral

There is much that is deciduous in books …

—J. R. Lowell

deciduousness noun

Synonyms

• brief
• ephemeral
• evanescent
• flash
• fleeting
• fugacious
• fugitive
• impermanent
• momentary
• passing
• short-lived
• temporary
• transient
• transitory

Examples of deciduous in a Sentence

the bare branches of a deciduous tree in winter

he chose not to fret about the deciduous discomforts of his existence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tapping into Tradition Native to northeastern North America, the sugar maple is a deciduous hardwood tree that, when healthy, can grow more than 100 feet tall and live for 300 to 400 years. —Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025

The plant belongs to a genus of deciduous shrubs called Aronia. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

Spanish River Park has 95 acres of inland deciduous woods plus the beach. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025

Complete all deciduous fruit tree pruning and learn how to thin the peach crop. 63. —Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin deciduus, from decidere to fall off, from de- + cadere to fall — more at chance

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deciduous

• deciduous tooth

Kids Definition

deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs 

1

: falling off (as at the end of a growing period or stage of development)

antlers are deciduous

deciduous leaves

2

: having deciduous parts or members with deciduous parts

deciduous trees

a deciduous forest

Medical Definition

deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs 

1

: falling off or shed at a certain stage in the life cycle

2

: having deciduous parts

a deciduous dentition