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

Varieties for the South: Kaleidoscope, Confetti, Miss Lemon 05 of 07 Winterberry Botanical name: Ilex verticillata Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Moist, acidic This deciduous holly has the most beautiful berries that persist all winter long. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024

The viewing period doesn't last long, as deciduous trees are normally bare by late November, said the park system. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2024

In addition to its sheer number of trees, many of them deciduous, the towns that make up New England truly embrace the fall season with cider donuts, U-Pick apple orchards, and maple syrup everything. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2024

Even a deciduous tree can suffer injury or death to part of the root system if conditions are too dry in the winter. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024

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