fig leaf

noun

1

: the leaf of a fig tree

2

[from the use by Adam and Eve of fig leaves to cover their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7)] : something that conceals or camouflages usually inadequately or dishonestly

Examples of fig leaf in a Sentence

Opponents claim that the humanitarian goals of the project are just a fig leaf, and that its real purpose is to make money.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cocktails include the Rebujito, made with a sherry blend, Spanish melon, lemon, tonic and mint; the Fig Leaf Boulevardier, with Japanese whisky, Campari, Cocchi Rosa and fig leaf liqueur; and the Sea Buckthorn 75, featuring genmaicha gin, sea buckthorn cordial, lemon and Champagne. —Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

But for houses connected to public water and sewer, lot size rules are arbitrary, lacking even a fig leaf of public health or safety concern. —Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026

The weak, appeasement-minded Biden administration went along with this outrage because of a fig leaf: As part of the turnover, the U.S. and Britain would have a 99-year lease on that base. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 5 Feb. 2026

This leaves some experts questioning whether AI could be serving as a fig leaf for companies that are laying off employees for old-fashioned reasons, such as financial underperformance or global economic uncertainty. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fig leaf

• belief
• broadleaf
• debrief
• flyleaf
• khalif
• kharif
• longleaf
• massif
• motif
• relief
• saif
• serif