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perennial

Pronunciation: /pəˈrɛnɪəl/
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Definition of perennial

adjective

  • 1lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring:his perennial distrust of the media perennial manifestations of urban crisis
  • [attributive] apparently permanently engaged in a specified role or way of life:he’s a perennial student
  • 2(of a plant) living for several years:cow parsley is perennialCompare with annual, biennial.
  • 3(of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year: spring streams rise from perennial springs

noun

  • a perennial plant: perennials will transform the garden in summerSee also

Derivatives

perennially

adverb

Origin:

mid 17th century (in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen'): from Latin perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial

Spelling help

Spell perennial with one r and a double n.

perennial in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of perennial in the US English dictionary
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