autumn
autumn Lexical Profile
autumn Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The third season of the year, transitioning from summer to winter, characterized in temperate regions by cooling temperatures, shorter days, and the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees.
"The hills were ablaze with vibrant red and gold foliage in late autumn."
A period of maturity or incipient decline in a person's life or in the existence of an empire, institution, or era.
"The retired diplomat spent the autumn of his life writing his memoirs in a quiet coastal village."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British and Commonwealth English, 'autumn' is the standard everyday word for this season, whereas in North American English, 'fall' is more common in casual speech and 'autumn' carries a slightly more formal or poetic tone.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'autompne', from Latin 'autumnus', a word of uncertain, possibly Etruscan, origin that gradually replaced the native Old English 'hærfest' (harvest) as the primary name for the season.