annual

1 of 2

adjective

an·​nu·​al ˈan-yə(-wə)l 

-yü-əl

1

: covering the period of a year

annual rainfall

annual income

2

: occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly

an annual reunion

an annual physical checkup

3

: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year

annual plants

annual

2 of 2

noun

1

: an event that occurs yearly

2

: a publication appearing yearly

the high-school annual

3

: something that lasts one year or season

specifically : a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

Examples of annual in a Sentence

Adjective

The annual meeting is in July.

The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report.

We had more snow this year than the average annual amount.

The company charges an annual fee of $45.

Noun

We planted some annuals in front of the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For an event that has become an annual celebration of Latino heritage in Kansas City, the gathering continued despite conditions that were far from ideal. — J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Using the Census Bureau’s official poverty count, that anti-poverty spending comes out to $35,000 in annual expenditures for every person in poverty, or $181,000 per family in poverty. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

There are plenty of good reasons to choose annuals, and many of your favorite flower varieties may be annuals. — Annie Burdick, The Spruce, 2 Sep. 2026

When to Stop Deadheading Plants Many perennials and annuals can benefit from deadheading from spring through early fall while these plants are actively in bloom. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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 Goth athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing annual

• annual increment
• annual report
• annual ring
• inter-annual

Rhymes for annual

• bimanual
• emmanuel
• nonmanual
• manual

Kids Definition

annual

1 of 2 adjective

an·​nu·​al ˈan-y(ə-w)əl 

1

: covering the period of a year

annual rainfall

2

: occurring or performed once a year : yearly

an annual meeting

3

: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year

annual plants

annually

-ē

adverb

annual

2 of 2 noun

1

: a publication appearing yearly

2

: an annual plant

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English annual "for a year," from early French annuel and Latin annualis (both, same meaning), derived from Latin annus "year"