fern

play

noun \ ˈfərn \

Definition of fern

:any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations; especially :any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds — compare seed fern

—

fernlike

play \ˈfərn-ˌlīk\ adjective

—

ferny

play \ˈfər-nē\ adjective

See fern defined for English-language learners

See fern defined for kids

Recent Examples of fern from the Web

IRVINE, Calif. — Every 15 minutes or so, the security guard came clacking down the marble walkway, striding past plush ferns and even plusher indoor/outdoor furniture.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "A Jungle Reunion: Inside One Man's Dream to Re-Create a 1996 SI Photo Shoot," 5 Aug. 2017
Another fossil collected from the same strata and location as the seed fern is of an insect that looks very much like a cockroach of today.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Plant fossil found at Park University is 306 million years old and a new species," 19 July 2017
The photo, posted late Thursday night (July 13), frames mother and children with an arch of roses, ferns and other flora.

— melinda morris, NOLA.com, "See Beyonce's gorgeous photo of herself with her twin babies," 14 July 2017
And even the completely unknown, like fiddlehead ferns.

— CBS News, "Restaurants making vegetables the star of the meal," 10 July 2017
To get this look, arrange a selection of peonies, dahlias, ferns, forget-me-nots, and hydrangea sepals in a bowl of water and accent them with pieces of driftwood.

— sara tardiff, ELLE Decor, "Floral Arrangements To Try If You Have A Summer Zodiac Sign," 29 June 2017
The chef, Jason Aldous, forages and then finesses hyper-fresh ingredients — fiddlehead ferns, ramps, organic duck eggs, local oysters — into dishes that highlight the crisp brine of the waters and earthiness of the terroir.

— amy tara koch, New York Times, "Summer Vacation, Minus the Traffic: 5 Alternatives to Popular Trips," 23 June 2017
Elegant concrete urns with cascading ferns and flowers frame a stage and lawn seating area built two decades ago, in 1997, welcoming seating for more than 500 enjoying a production penned by The Bard.

— philip potempa, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Brook: Perfect place for date night with theater and dining," 22 June 2017
On all sides of this young jungle was a fern-floored forest typical of western Oregon.

— jamie hale, OregonLive.com, "The Oregonian visited the state's first nudist colony in 1935 -- and got an eyeful," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fern

Middle English, from Old English fearn; akin to Old High German farn fern, Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

FERN Defined for English Language Learners

fern

play

noun

Definition of fern for English Language Learners

: a type of plant that has large, delicate leaves and no flowers

FERN Defined for Kids

fern

play

noun \ ˈfərn \

Definition of fern for Students

:a plant that produces spores instead of seeds and no flowers and whose leaves are usually divided into many parts

—

fernlike

\-ˌlīk\ adjective

Learn More about fern

Spanish Central: Translation of fern Nglish: Translation of fern for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fern

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fern? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

fern

Definition of fern

fernlike

ferny

Recent Examples of fern from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fern

FERN Defined for English Language Learners

fern

Definition of fern for English Language Learners

FERN Defined for Kids

fern

Definition of fern for Students

fernlike

Learn More about fern

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

legerity

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

fern

Definition of fern

fernlike

ferny

From the M-W Editors

Recent Examples of fern from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fern

FERN Defined for English Language Learners

fern

Definition of fern for English Language Learners

FERN Defined for Kids

fern

Definition of fern for Students

fernlike

Learn More about fern

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066