leaf out

IPA/lˈiːf ˈaʊt/
IPA/lˈiːf ˈaʊt/

leaf out — phrasal verb

  • leaf outbase form
  • leafs out3rd person singular
  • leafing out-ing form
  • leafed outpast simple

1. when a tree or plant leafs out, it grows new green leaves, usually in spring aft

1.片語動詞不及物C1
釋義

when a tree or plant leafs out, it grows new green leaves, usually in spring after the cold winter months

例句

The old oak tree in Valentina's garden leafs out late every spring.

[tree] + leaf out in spring

Once the maples leaf out, the whole street turns a soft, bright green.

collocation: trees leaf out and turn green

同義詞
  • come into leaf

    British English; same meaning, slightly more formal

  • bud

    earlier stage, when buds appear before the leaves open

  • sprout

    broader; can describe seeds or shoots, not only leaves on a tree

反義詞
  • shed leaves

    the opposite autumn process, when leaves fall off

文法句型

[tree/plant] + leaf out

leaf out in [season]

用法筆記

Subject is always a plant or tree, never a person. Mainly American English and common in gardening or nature writing; the British equivalent is usually 'come into leaf'.

常見錯誤

❌The gardener leafed out the trees.
✅The trees leafed out.
💡The plant itself is the subject; you cannot do this action to a tree.
❌The roses leaf out their flowers.
✅The roses leaf out in April.
💡'Leaf out' is about growing leaves, not flowers, and takes no object.