WordGarden.ioleaf
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈiːf/
US
- /ˈlif/
Meanings
Noun
a flat green part of a plant or tree
a sheet of paper in a book, manuscript, or similar bound item
one hinged section of a folding door, gate, table, or similar object
Verb
to turn quickly through the pages of a book, magazine, or document
Beyond the definition
We often think of leaves as the green parts of trees and bushes that turn sunlight into food. But "leaf" also has several other common meanings. In the world of books, a "leaf" is a single sheet of paper, with one page on each side. You might also hear "gold leaf," which means metal beaten into a very thin layer for decoration.
The word also appears in everyday expressions. You might "leaf through" a magazine to find an interesting article, or "turn over a new leaf" when you decide to make a fresh start in life. Whether you are describing a "leafy" park or the delicate sheets of an old diary, the context will tell you which meaning is being discussed.
The word "leaf" most commonly refers to the flat, typically green organs of a plant that are essential for photosynthesis. These leaves come in a breathtaking variety of shapes and sizes, from the needle-like leaves of a pine tree to the broad, vibrant maple leaves that carpet the forest floor in autumn. "The crisp, fallen leaves crunched loudly under our boots."
Beyond botany, "leaf" is a vital term in printing and bookbinding. It refers to a single physical sheet of paper. It is a common mistake to use "leaf" and "page" interchangeably; technically, one leaf consists of two pages (the front, or recto, and the back, or verso). This is the origin of the phrasal verb "to leaf through," which means to flick quickly through the sheets of a book or magazine. "She spent the afternoon leafing through old photo albums, lost in thought."
The word also appears in specialized crafts. "Gold leaf" or "silver leaf" refers to metal that has been hammered into an extremely thin layer, often used for gilding picture frames or delicate artworks. While this usage is more technical, it remains a standard term in the arts today.
Finally, "leaf" is rooted in our idioms. To "turn over a new leaf" is a popular way to describe making a fresh start or improving one's behavior. We also use "leafy" as a descriptive adjective for places rich in vegetation, such as a "leafy lane" or a "leafy suburb." Whether you are admiring nature, studying a manuscript, or striving for a better future, "leaf" is a multifaceted word that connects the natural world to the pages of human history.
Examples
- 1
Nature
A dry leaf blew across the path.
- 2
Seasons
The leaves on the maple tree turned red in October.
- 3
Yard work
Please rake the leaves before they block the drain.
- 4
Cooking
Add one bay leaf to the soup and take it out before serving.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Plant collection
She pressed a leaf between the pages of her notebook.
- 6
Book page
He tore a leaf out of his sketchbook and wrote down the address.
- 7
Quick reading
I only had time to leaf through the report before the meeting.
- Patternleaf through + document
look through it quickly
- 8
Personal change
After missing the deadline twice, he promised to turn over a new leaf.
- Phraseturn over a new leaf
start behaving in a better way
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- leafnounverb
Forms
- leavespluralnounverb
- leafspluralnounverb
- leafedpast tenseverbnoun
- leafing-ing formverbnoun