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Glite Dictionary
semi-evergreen

semi-evergreen

6.8
A plant that keeps some leaves all year but loses others
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmiˈɛvərˌɡriːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : semi-perenne
  • In colder climates, many shrubs are classified as semi-evergreen because they lose some leaves in the winter.

Examples

  • The semi-evergreen shrub retains some leaves in winter.

  • Semi-evergreen plants are especially useful for regions with variable climates.

  • Some semi-evergreen trees may keep part of their foliage through mild winters.

  • The garden features a mix of semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs to maintain year-round interest.

  • I prefer a semi-evergreen plant for my garden.

  • The semi-evergreen plant retains some leaves throughout winter, providing color to the garden.

  • This variety of semi-evergreen tree keeps a portion of its lush leaves even during the dry season.

Synonyms

half-evergreen
vssemi-evergreen
7.9

A plant that keeps some leaves all year but loses others

is the same meaning but uses alternate wording

Antonyms

evergreen
11 2.7

Having green leaves all year

deciduous
5 6.1

Trees and plants that lose their leaves each year, often in autumn

How Evergreen

evergreen
11 2.7
semi-evergreen
  • Specialized
6.8
deciduous
5 6.1

Surface Forms

semi-evergreen positive
semi-evergreener comparative
semi-evergreenest superlative

Morphology

semi-evergreen = evergreen (transparent) = semi + ever + green

The meaning is directly compositional: 'semi-' means partially and 'evergreen' already denotes a plant that stays green through the year.

Etymology

The word semi-evergreen is a simple combination: semi- means 'half' or 'partly', as in semi-final, and evergreen means 'keeps leaves all year'. So a semi-evergreen plant keeps some, but not all, of its leaves through the year.