evergreen
/ˈevəɡriːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈevərɡriːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-vər-ˌgrēn/ (ame, mw) · /ˈev.ə.ɡriːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈev.ɚ.ɡriːn/ (ame, ipa)
evergreen — adjective
- evergreenpositive
- more evergreencomparative
- most evergreensuperlative
1. describes a plant, bush, or tree that keeps its green leaves or needles througho
describes a plant, bush, or tree that keeps its green leaves or needles throughout the whole year, instead of losing them in autumn or in a dry season.
The gardener planted several evergreen trees along the driveway to provide shade all year.
collocation: evergreen trees / evergreen species
Unlike oak trees, the pine is an evergreen species that keeps its needles all winter.
The Watanabe family chose evergreen bushes for their hedge to stay green in every season.
Holly is a popular evergreen shrub with shiny dark leaves and bright red berries in winter.
Evergreen forests stay green throughout the year, offering shelter to many birds and animals.
- coniferous
refers specifically to needle-leaved evergreens like pine and fir; not all evergreens are conifers
- perennial
in botany, describes plants that live for several years; may still lose leaves seasonally and is broader than 'evergreen'
- deciduous
describes trees and shrubs that lose their leaves in autumn
用法筆記
Frequently used to contrast with 'deciduous' (trees that lose their leaves). Many common evergreens are conifers like pines, firs, and spruces.
常見錯誤
2. remaining interesting, popular, or fashionable for a very long time, so that som
remaining interesting, popular, or fashionable for a very long time, so that something never feels old, outdated, or forgotten.
The Beatles' music has an evergreen quality that attracts new listeners in every generation.
collocation: evergreen quality / evergreen appeal
Blue jeans are an evergreen fashion item that never goes out of style.
The fairy tale of Cinderella remains an evergreen story loved by children worldwide.
Jazz standards have an evergreen appeal, sounding fresh and beautiful decades after they were written.
Honesty is an evergreen value that parents teach their children in every culture and generation.
- timeless
emphasises that something is not affected by the passage of time; closer to 'eternal' than 'evergreen'
- classic
stresses that something is of lasting quality and often sets a standard; more commonly applied to art, design, and literature
- enduring
focuses on the ability to last despite difficulty or change; slightly more formal than 'evergreen'
- perennial
suggests something that keeps returning or remains active year after year; overlaps with 'evergreen' in figurative use
用法筆記
Commonly describes creative works (songs, stories, films), fashion items, and abstract qualities such as values or themes. Often paired with nouns like 'quality', 'appeal', 'classic', or 'favourite'.
常見錯誤
evergreen — noun
- evergreensingular
- evergreensplural
1. a plant, bush, or tree that stays green all year round, rather than losing its l
a plant, bush, or tree that stays green all year round, rather than losing its leaves in a particular season; includes pines, firs, hollies, and many other species.
The park ranger pointed out which trees were evergreens and which turn bare in autumn.
We planted evergreens along the garden fence to block the view from the street.
During the winter holidays, many families decorate evergreens with lights, tinsel, and colourful ornaments.
The hiker recognised the tall evergreens by their dark green needles and pine scent.
Evergreens are useful for a windbreak because they stay thick and dense all year round.
- conifer
a narrower term that refers only to cone-bearing evergreens such as pines and firs, not to broadleaf evergreens like holly
- deciduous tree
a tree that loses its leaves annually
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used in the plural ('evergreens') when referring to a group of such plants. Common in gardening and landscaping contexts.