fern

noun

ˈfərn 

: any of a division (Polypodiophyta) or class (Polypodiopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations

especially : any of an order (Polypodiales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds compare seed fern

fernlike

ˈfərn-ˌlīk 

adjective

ferny

ˈfər-nē 

adjective

Examples of fern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many houseplants, including tropicals and ferns, can struggle with the lower levels of humidity that occur in cold weather, when the air naturally holds less moisture. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026

Mosses, ferns, lichens, and liverworts love it. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026

Subjects include everything from global weather patterns to local climate considerations, as well as the selection of shrubs, growing ferns and mosses, and fruit gardens. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026

Dinner begins with poi, haupia (coconut pudding), pohole (fern) salad followed by other traditional Hawaiian dishes, like kalua pig (shredded pig cooked in an underground oven, or imu). —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fern

• bird's-nest fern
• Boston fern
• Christmas fern
• cinnamon fern
• fern bar
• fern seed
• hay-scented fern
• maidenhair fern
• male fern
• ostrich fern
• seed fern
• southern maidenhair fern
• sweet fern
• sword fern
• tree fern
• Venus' hair fern

Rhymes for fern

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern
• spurn

Kids Definition

fern

noun

ˈfərn 

: any of an order of vascular plants resembling seed plants in having root, stem, and leaflike fronds but reproducing by spores instead of by flowers and seeds

fernlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

ferny

ˈfər-nē 

adjective