leaf out

phrasal verb

leafed out; leafing out; leafs out
US, of a tree
: to produce leaves
The tree will leaf out in the spring.

Examples of leaf out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The congressman added that Iran might view its only alternative as taking a leaf out of North Korea's book and developing a bomb in secret, wary of what has happened to the countries that gave up their nuclear weapons, like Ukraine and Libya. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 The foliage can be quite the color chameleon, with some selections leafing out in shades of red, purple, lime green, and orange before changing tones as the season advances. Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025 Chatter also abounds over whether 65-year-old Zaslav is beginning to think about taking a leaf out of one of his HBO tentpoles and putting in place a succession plan, with content supremos Casey Bloys and Channing Dungey appearing to be two lead names in the frame. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 June 2025 Trees have time to leaf out again to remain healthy during the growing season. Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 Nobody questions use of private planes during campaign season: Sanders is just taking a leaf out of Trump's book and issue-campaigning out of season. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 Podcast studio Wondery is taking a leaf out of TV studios’ playbook with its first broader deal with talent. Peter White, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 Sunny yellow blooms nearly cover the bare branches in January to February before plants leaf out for the season. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024 Nationally, spring leaf out continues to spread north across the country, the USA National Phenology Network reported this week. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Leaf out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaf%20out. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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