# evergreen

/ˈɛvɝˌɡɹin/ (US) · /ˈɛvəɡɹˌiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/evergreen
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. botany

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a plant or tree that keeps its green leaves all year round, even in winter.

For teachers: pertaining to plants, especially trees, that retain their foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

- Pine trees are evergreen, so they look the same in summer and winter.
- The garden was designed with several evergreen shrubs to ensure the landscape remained vibrant even during the bleakest winter months.

### 3. software/computing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing software or a web browser that updates itself automatically so you always have the newest version.

For teachers: referring to software, particularly web browsers, that follows a continuous release cycle and updates automatically without user intervention.

- Most modern browsers are evergreen, meaning they stay secure without you doing anything.
- The transition to an evergreen browser model has significantly reduced the security risks associated with outdated web standards.

### 4. a tree

noun · CEFR B2

a tree or bush that stays green all year.

For teachers: a botanical specimen, typically a conifer, that retains its leaves or needles throughout all seasons.

- We planted a row of evergreens along the fence to create a private screen.
- The hillside was covered in a dense forest of evergreens, providing a sharp contrast to the bare oaks in the valley below.

### 5. to extend a patent

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to keep a patent or legal right active for longer by making small changes to it.

For teachers: to extend the term of a patent or legal protection beyond its standard limit, often through minor modifications or strategic legal filings.

- The company tried to evergreen its drug patent by changing the pill's coating.
- Critics argue that the practice of evergreening pharmaceutical patents prevents cheaper generic versions of life-saving drugs from entering the market.

## Examples

- This blog post about basic cooking is evergreen content.
- The marketing team focuses on creating evergreen articles that will continue to drive traffic years after their initial publication.
- While news cycles are increasingly rapid, the most successful digital platforms balance breaking headlines with evergreen resources that provide consistent value to their user base regardless of current trends.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.