autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯ-təm 

1

: the season between summer and winter comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November or as reckoned astronomically extending from the September equinox to the December solstice

called also fall

2

: a period of maturity or incipient decline

in the autumn of life

Synonyms of autumn

• age
• afternoon
• twilight
• evening
• winter

Examples of autumn in a Sentence

in the autumn of last year

a magnificent New England autumn

She went off to college in the autumn of 1999.

When autumn came he planted grass.

Recent Examples on the Web

To rake or not to rake is a question raised every autumn when leaves begin to fall and this season is no different. —Mike Hogan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Nov. 2025

Across the industry, travel insiders say autumn is becoming a new high season for Europe — a shift driven by rising temperatures, overtourism, and a post-pandemic appetite for quieter, more meaningful travel. —Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Make a few batches before busy autumn weekends and the holiday season, and you’re set with a quick-fix staple. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2025

Crooked Highway’s most recent film, Black Phone 2, via Universal and Blumhouse, has been one of the few hits at the autumn box office, grossing over $71M stateside and $123M worldwide. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English autumpne, borrowed from Anglo-French autompne, borrowed from Latin autumnus (also an adjective, "autumnal"), perhaps a borrowing from Etruscan

Note: Ernout and Meillet (Dictionaire étymologique de la langue latine) regard an Etruscan origin as definite ("sans doute") and compare the form to Vertumnus/Vortumnus, claimed by Varro to be an Etruscan god. (The Romans regarded Vertumnus as a god of the changing seasons, by association with the verb vertere "to turn.")

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing autumn

• autumn crocus

Rhymes for autumn

• bottom
• scrotum

Kids Definition

autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯt-əm 

1

: the season between summer and winter including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November

called also fall

2

: a time late in an existence

in the autumn of life

autumnal

ȯ-ˈtəm-nəl 

adjective