foliage

noun

fo·​liage ˈfō-lē-ij 

 also  -lyij;

 nonstandard  ˈfō-lij,

nonstandard

ˈfȯi-lij 

1

: a representation of leaves, flowers, and branches for architectural ornamentation

The doorframe was decorated with beautifully carved foliage.

2

: the aggregate of leaves of one or more plants

trees with colorful autumn foliage

3

: a cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches

A wreath of foliage adorned her front door.

foliaged

ˈfō-lē-ijd 

 also  -lyijd;

 nonstandard  ˈfō-lijd

 nonstandard  ˈfȯi-

adjective

How do you pronounce foliage?: Usage Guide

The disyllabic pronunciation \ˈfō-lij\ is very common. Some commentators insist that foliage requires a trisyllabic pronunciation because of its spelling, but words of a similar pattern such as carriage and marriage do not fall under their prescription. The pronunciation \ˈfȯi-lij\ is disapproved because it suggests the transposition of the l and i in the spelling. It is not as common as \ˈfō-lij\ and may be associated with the nonstandard spelling foilage.

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How Do You Pronounce foliage?

Whether you’re a casual leaf peeper or a card-carrying botanist, a staunch New Englander or Caribbean beach bum, there’s plenty to love about foliage—though the pronunciation of foliage has long been a point of contention among English speakers. Most commonly accepted is the trisyllabic \FOH-lee-ij\. However, there’s no denying that the pronunciations \FOH-lij\ and even \FOY-lij\ have also staked their claim. The first of these disputed pronunciations is consistent with the pronunciation of the -iage ending in marriage and carriage. The second is often more fiercely denounced, in part because of its association with the nonstandard spelling foilage. But there’s redemption for this estranged pronunciation: foliage traces back to Middle French foille ("leaf"), which is also the source of the English word foil (as in "aluminum foil"). When adopted by Middle English speakers, foil originally meant "leaf." Love it or leaf it, there’s just no taking the "foil" out of foliage.

Synonyms

• flora
• green
• greenery
• herbage
• leafage
• vegetation
• verdure

Examples of foliage in a Sentence

a tree with pretty foliage

the thick green foliage of the jungle

Recent Examples on the Web

The best time of year to drive the Great River Road depends on your travel preferences, but fall can be a great time to take advantage of beautiful foliage views. —Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023

While they aren't hosted or owned by any of America's leading domestic entrepreneurs, they can be found under any number of round-ups: Airbnbs in America's beautiful small towns, Airbnbs for foliage spotting, Airbnbs near New York City. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2023

Something Pretty Floral in Dallas blended fall foliage and lush blooms for the affair’s stunning florals, while Harrison’s friend Cameron Treu, owner of Bam Bams BBQ, cooked up brisket, pulled pork, sausage, turkey, coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato salad and banana pudding. —Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 5 Nov. 2023

But this image is embedded in an elaborate, symphonic collage of experiences, from their view of foliage on the road behind them and the sight of Isaiah at the wheel through the cab’s rear window to the hair styles and dresses that the girls wear. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2023

Peak foliage is from the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2023

Upstairs, there are two more secondary bedrooms and baths, plus a lounge area and a couple of roof terraces, both shielded from neighbors by tall trees and mature foliage. —Mark David, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2023

Many varieties grow well in a hanging basket or on a shelf from which their foliage can dangle. —Lauren David, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023

For a more predictable display of fall colors, Ontario and Quebec are prime options, with the foliage lasting upwards of two months in September and October. —Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle French fuellage, from foille leaf — more at foil entry 2

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foliage

• foliage plant

• foliage plant

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Kids Definition

foliage

noun

fo·​li·​age

ˈfō-l(ē-)ij,

 also  ˈfōl-yij

: the mass of leaves of a plant

foliaged

-l(ē-)ijd

 also  -yijd

adjective

Etymology

an altered form of earlier foillage "a mass of leaves," from early French fuellage (same meaning), from fuelle, foille "leaf," derived from Latin folium "leaf" — related to foil entry 2, portfolio