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

The 54-suite Orient Express Corinthian features five restaurants under the culinary direction of superstar chef Yannick Alléno, whose restaurants have won multiple Michelin stars, and sails the Med until autumn. — Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

Dramatic hues from Victoria Beckham, Posse, and Anine Bing set the tone for autumn nuptials. — Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2026

If convenient, get the family together and travel up to the mountains for a panoramic view of what nature offers every autumn. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

Climate change has added a new wrinkle to the subject of pumpkin spice, the flavor usually associated with cooler weather and the coming of autumn. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

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