evergreen

1 of 2

adjective

ev·​er·​green ˈe-vər-ˌgrēn 

1

: having foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season compare deciduous sense 1

2

a

: retaining freshness or interest : perennial

b

: universally and continually relevant : not limited in applicability to a particular event or date

This morning writer Erin Gloria Ryan tweeted, "It has not been a good 24 hours for masculinity." It's a sort of evergreen tweet that might be true at most times over the last several thousand years.

—James Hamblin

He'll spend a good chunk of the special talking about his family, and some time discussing politics, too, though he has been admonished to stay close to "evergreen" material for re-runs.

—Michael. K. MacIntyre

evergreen

2 of 2

noun

plural evergreens

1

: a plant having foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season

If temperatures are above 40 degrees, spray broadleaf evergreens with an antidesiccant to ward off winter dehydration and windburn.

—Jessica Damiano

especially : an evergreen conifer

Evergreens, on the other hand, endure winter's ice with hard, tough-skinned needles that continue food production throughout the seasons.

—Richard Wolkomir

2

plural : twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for decoration

3

: something that retains its freshness, interest, or popularity

Did you know?

Which adjective do you think has existed longer in English, evergreen or perennial? If you count the hyphenated form ever-green (which of course means "always green"), then evergreen is older; its earliest known use dates from the 16th century. The hyphen-free form is first seen in writing from the 17th century as an adjective as well as a noun, meaning "conifer." The earliest known use of perennial as an adjective meaning "remaining green all year long" appears in the first half of the 17th century. Evergreen also wins in the more general "long lasting" sense. It began appearing in figurative use circa mid-17th century, whereas perennial began to be used with that "enduring" meaning in the early 18th.

Examples of evergreen in a Sentence

Adjective

Most pines are evergreen trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These trees are typically evergreen conifers, but several different species are popular for decking out in merrily twinkling lights and shiny baubles. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2024

Take ashwagandha, an evergreen shrub indigenous to tropical areas in Asia and Africa. —Jessie Van Amburg, SELF, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

While evergreens add year-round color and structure, there also are many annuals and shrubs that flower in winter to add pops of interest to your garden. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024

Balsam firs are more pliable than other types of evergreen trees, which helps fit the tree through the door at the state Capitol, which is only 52 inches wide. —Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing evergreen

• evergreen oak

Kids Definition

evergreen

1 of 2 adjective

ev·​er·​green ˈev-ər-ˌgrēn 

: having leaves that remain green and functional through more than one growing season

most conifers are evergreen trees

compare deciduous

evergreen

2 of 2 noun

1

: an evergreen plant

also : conifer

2

plural : twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for decoration