perennial

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈrɛnɪəl/

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 summer

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.