Word
foliage
Phoneticsfo·liage
US/ˈfoʊɫiɪdʒ/
UK/fˈəʊlɪɪdʒ/
Definitions
01leaves of a plant
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the leaves of a plant or tree, especially when you are talking about how they look.
n. the collective mass of leaves of a plant or tree. Uncountable in its general sense, though countable when referring to specific types of leaf arrangements.
Español:follaje
“The thick green foliage of the jungle blocked out most of the sunlight.”
“The dense tropical foliage provided a natural canopy, sheltering the forest floor from the torrential afternoon rains.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the overall appearance of a plant's leaves.
02autumn leaves
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun American English
n. the colourful leaves on trees during the autumn season.
n. the seasonal change in leaf colour, particularly in deciduous forests during autumn.
“Many tourists visit Vermont in October to see the beautiful autumn foliage.”
“The region's economy relies heavily on 'leaf-peepers' who travel long distances to photograph the vibrant autumn foliage.”
Teaching tip
In American English, 'fall foliage' is a very common set phrase for autumn tourism.
Synonyms
03architectural decoration
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. a decoration on a building that looks like leaves or branches.
n. an architectural or artistic ornament representing leaves, flowers, or branches.
“The stone columns were decorated with carvings of vines and foliage.”
“The cathedral's Gothic arches were adorned with intricate stone foliage, demonstrating the stonemasons' mastery of naturalistic detail.”
Teaching tip
This sense is specific to art history and architecture.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“This fall, New England’s famous foliage show may not last as long as leaf peepers hope.” “The practice of "leaf peeping" involves people traveling to admire and capture photographs of the foliage in regions where the leaves transform into vibrant colors during the fall months.” “The air is crisp, the days are still warm, and the turning foliage offers an irresistible riot of color—one that, by one estimate, generates as much as $1 billion in tourism revenue.” “We are now entering the peak period for witnessing the vibrant russet and gold foliage of autumn across North America, as the breakdown of chlorophyll unveils stunning colors in the leaves.” Etymology
From earlier foilage, from Late Middle English ffoylage, from Middle French feuillage. The more recent form is influenced by Latin folium (“leaf”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/foliage
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0