fern

noun

ˈfərn 

: any of a division (Polypodiophyta) or class (Polypodiopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations

especially : any of an order (Polypodiales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern

fernlike

ˈfərn-ˌlīk 

adjective

ferny

ˈfər-nē 

adjective

Examples of fern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The area is also home to an astounding collection of native plants and flowers, including ferns, bee balm, native azaleas, galax, dwarf iris, and many more. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025

The following day, one of the rangers hiked back up and found a sling bag with the keys under a log in tall ferns. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Williams also recommends updating old containers and planters by adding fresh plantings or simple ferns. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025

The slopes have been planted with pineapples, but nature is also providing the ingredients for her next meal — wild ginger, edible ferns, turmeric, and pandan. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fern

• bird's-nest fern
• Boston fern
• Christmas fern
• cinnamon fern
• fern bar
• fern seed
• hay-scented fern
• maidenhair fern
• male fern
• ostrich fern
• seed fern
• southern maidenhair fern
• sweet fern
• sword fern
• tree fern
• Venus' hair fern

Rhymes for fern

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern
• spurn

Kids Definition

fern

noun

ˈfərn 

: any of an order of vascular plants resembling seed plants in having root, stem, and leaflike fronds but reproducing by spores instead of by flowers and seeds

fernlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

ferny

ˈfər-nē 

adjective