Main Entry:

¹an·nu·al

Pronunciation:

\ˈan-yə(-wə)l, -yü-əl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French annuel, from Late Latin annualis, blend of Latin annuus yearly (from annus year) and Latin annalis yearly (from annus year); probably akin to Gothic athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

Date:

14th century

1 : covering the period of a year <annual rainfall> 2 : occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly <an annual reunion> 3 : completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year <annual plants>

— an·nu·al·ly adverb