# foliage

/ˈfoʊɫiɪdʒ/ (US) · /fˈəʊlɪɪdʒ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. leaves of a plant

noun · CEFR B2

the leaves of a plant or tree, especially when you are talking about how they look.

For teachers: 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.

- 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.

### 2. autumn leaves

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the colourful leaves on trees during the autumn season.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. architectural decoration

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a decoration on a building that looks like leaves or branches.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The garden is full of thick, green foliage.
- In October, tourists travel to New England to see the vibrant red and orange foliage of the maple trees.
- The dense tropical foliage provided a natural canopy that shielded the forest floor from the intense midday sun and heavy rainfall.

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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.