deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsi-jə-wəs 

-jü-əs

1

biology : falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle

deciduous leaves

deciduous scales

2

biology

a

: having deciduous parts

maples, birches, and other deciduous trees

deciduous dentition

b

: having the dominant plants deciduous

a deciduous forest

3

: ephemeral

There is much that is deciduous in books …

—J. R. Lowell

deciduousness noun

Synonyms of deciduous

• temporary
• flash
• brief
• transient
• passing
• ephemeral
• transitory

Examples of deciduous in a Sentence

the bare branches of a deciduous tree in winter

he chose not to fret about the deciduous discomforts of his existence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beautyberry These deciduous shrubs produce bright purple berries that attract songbirds in summer and autumn. — The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026

Chiricahua is a combination of climates The new national park features varying environments, from a desert landscape and grasslands to deciduous forest and chaparral shrub land to coniferous forest habitats. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Planting bulbs below deciduous trees or shrubs that develop their foliage after the bulbs have bloomed and the foliage has withered and disintegrated is fine, as the bulbs still get dappled sunlight. — Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2026

Bulbs can be planted in flower beds, around deciduous trees, or grown in pots or window boxes. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin deciduus, from decidere to fall off, from de- + cadere to fall — more at chance

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deciduous

• deciduous tooth

Kids Definition

deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs 

1

: falling off (as at the end of a growing period or stage of development)

antlers are deciduous

deciduous leaves

2

: having deciduous parts or members with deciduous parts

deciduous trees

a deciduous forest

Medical Definition

deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs 

1

: falling off or shed at a certain stage in the life cycle

2

: having deciduous parts

a deciduous dentition