evergreen

1 of 2

adjective

ev·er·green ˈe-vər-ˌgrēn

: having foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season compare deciduous sense 1

: retaining freshness or interest : perennial

: universally and continually relevant : not limited in applicability to a particular event or date

This morning writer Erin Gloria Ryan tweeted, "It has not been a good 24 hours for masculinity." It's a sort of evergreen tweet that might be true at most times over the last several thousand years.—

James Hamblin

He'll spend a good chunk of the special talking about his family, and some time discussing politics, too, though he has been admonished to stay close to "evergreen" material for re-runs.—

Michael. K. MacIntyre

evergreen

2 of 2

noun

plural evergreens

: a plant having foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season

If temperatures are above 40 degrees, spray broadleaf evergreens with an antidesiccant to ward off winter dehydration and windburn.—

Jessica Damiano

especially : an evergreen conifer

Evergreens, on the other hand, endure winter's ice with hard, tough-skinned needles that continue food production throughout the seasons. —

Richard Wolkomir

plural : twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for decoration

: something that retains its freshness, interest, or popularity

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O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum: as you are one of the most universally recognized symbols for both the secular and religious observances of Christmas, decorating your lovely branches is an evergreen tradition in two ways. First, because you are almost always an evergreen tree, aka a conifer (such as a fir, spruce, or pine) whose foliage remains green through more than one growing season. Second, because bringing an evergreen into one’s home in late December is an evergreen tradition: one that has occurred perennially, or yearly, since at least the 16th century, when people in what is now Germany used evergreens to celebrate December 24th, the feast day of Adam and Eve. The adjective evergreen is older than its noun counterpart; it was first used literally to describe trees and their foliage, then later took on the figurative senses of “perennial” and “continually relevant.”

Examples of evergreen in a Sentence

Adjective Most pines are evergreen trees.

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.

Adjective

Camellia Botanical Name: Camellia species and hybrids Sun Exposure: Part to full shade Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining Soil pH: Acidic (5.0 to 6.8) With evergreen foliage and winter blooms, camellias will quickly become your favorite winter potted plant. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025 Foliage remains evergreen through winter, with flowers starting late winter and erupting through spring. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

Oud essential oil is extracted from aquilaria trees, a species of evergreens native to Southeast Asia and North India. —

Sable Yong, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025 Broad-leaved and needled evergreen shrubs are the workhorses of winter, providing enduring structure and color. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for evergreen

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of evergreen was in 1579

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Style

“Evergreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evergreen. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

evergreen

1 of 2 adjective

ev·er·green ˈev-ər-ˌgrēn

: having leaves that remain green and functional through more than one growing season

most conifers are evergreen trees

compare deciduous

evergreen

2 of 2 noun

: an evergreen plant

also : conifer

plural : twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for decoration

Last Updated: 19 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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evergreen

adjective

noun

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Examples of evergreen in a Sentence

Word History

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