one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.
any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.
a petal.
a rose leaf.
leaves collectively; foliage.
Bibliography. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side.
a thin sheet of metal.
silver leaf.
a lamina or layer.
a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a door or tabletop.
a section of a drawbridge.
a single strip of metal in a leaf spring.
a tooth of a small gear wheel, as of a pinion.
Textiles. shaft.
to put forth leaves.
to turn pages, especially quickly (usually followed bythrough ).
to leaf through a book.
in leaf, covered with foliage; having leaves.
the pale green tint of the woods newly in leaf.
take a leaf out of / from someone's book, to follow someone's example; imitate.
Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now doing very well for themselves.
turn over a new leaf, to begin anew; make a fresh start.
Every New Year's we make resolutions to turn over a new leaf.
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants, usually consisting of a flat green blade attached to the stem directly or by a stalk
foliage collectively
(of shrubs, trees, etc) having a full complement of foliage leaves
one of the sheets of paper in a book
a hinged, sliding, or detachable part, such as an extension to a table
metal in the form of a very thin flexible sheet
gold leaf
a foil or thin strip of metal in a composite material; lamina
short for leaf spring
the inner or outer wall of a cavity wall
a crop that is harvested in the form of leaves
a metal strip forming one of the laminations in a leaf spring
a slang word for marijuana
to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action
to begin a new and improved course of behaviour
to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily
(intr) (of plants) to produce leaves
First recorded before 900; Middle English leef, lef, Old English lēaf; cognate with Dutch loof, German Laub, Old Norse lauf, Gothic laufs
A leaf is part of a plant that's usually green and attached to it by a stem or stalk. In the fall, the leaves of many trees turn various bright colors before falling to the ground. In the spring, trees grow new leaves. Ahhh, the circle of life. A plant's leaves are the organs that take part in photosynthesis, which brings it needed nutrients. From this botanical meaning comes another definition of leaf, "a sheet of printed paper or a page in a book." And when you leaf through a book, you turn its pages. You might also "tremble like a leaf," or shake with fear; or "turn over a new leaf," start a new part of your life with new resolutions or attitudes.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He echoes throughout her work, in her sense of ecstasy, in how she exalts the world around her, down to the humble leaf of grass.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
During daylight hours, the ballista spider remains hidden beneath a leaf positioned above areas where green tree ants are actively foraging.
From Science Daily • Jun. 26, 2026
After nightfall, it drops down some 50cm to a leaf, a branch or the forest floor and creates an anchor point using a silk line.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
We must also hope that he will take a leaf out of Lagarde’s book and raise interest rates if there is even the slightest chance that inflation expectations will soon become unanchored.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
She dropped down in the garden, like a leaf tumbling off the oak tree of life, just before I was supposed to meet you at Listening Rock.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
