evergreen
evergreen
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "evergreen" is:
/ˈɛvərˌɡriːn/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ev-:
/ˈɛ/ - the "e" sound in "bed"
/v/ - the "v" sound in "voice"
/ər/ - the "er" sound in "father"
-er-:
/ər/ - the "er" sound in "father"
-green:
/ɡ/ - the "g" sound in "go"
/riː/ - the "ee" sound in "see" (lengthened)
/n/ - the "n" sound in "no"
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
"evergreen" (describing something that retains its greenness or vitality)
Noun:
"evergreen" (singular: referring to an evergreen plant or tree)
"evergreens" (plural: referring to multiple evergreen plants or trees, or to the branches of such plants)
Therefore, the main variations are the singular noun, the plural noun, and the adjective form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
1. Adjective:
Definition:
Describing a plant or foliage that retains its green color throughout the year, regardless of seasonal changes.
Figuratively, describing something that maintains its relevance, popularity, or vitality over an extended period.
describing something that is continually relevant.
Synonyms:
For plants: perennial, verdant, undying.
Figuratively: enduring, lasting, timeless, perennial, persistent, immortal.
Antonyms:
For plants: deciduous, seasonal.
Figuratively: fleeting, transient, ephemeral, outdated, obsolete.
2. Noun:
Definition:
A plant, especially a tree or shrub, that retains its green foliage throughout the year.
Often in the plural form, "evergreens," refers to the branches or foliage of such plants, particularly used for decoration.
A concept or item that retains long term value.
Synonyms:
conifer, perennial plant.
Antonyms:
deciduous plant.
Examples of Usage:
Adjective: "The pine trees are evergreen, providing a constant green backdrop." "That song has become an evergreen classic."
Noun: "We decorated the house with evergreens for the holidays." "The park is filled with many kinds of evergreens."
Examples of Use
1. Adjective:
Definition:
"Characterized by a persistent, vibrant greenness throughout all seasons; denoting a plant that maintains its foliage year-round."
"Figuratively, representing a quality of enduring relevance, freshness, or popularity, resisting obsolescence."
"Relating to content, or information that remains useful for a long period of time."
Synonyms:
Botanical: perennial, verdant, persistent, constant.
Figurative: timeless, enduring, perennial, unfading, classic.
Relating to content: continual, long lasting, relevant.
Antonyms:
Botanical: deciduous, seasonal, transient.
Figurative: ephemeral, fleeting, transient, obsolete, dated.
2. Noun:
Definition:
"A plant, typically a tree or shrub, that retains its green foliage continuously, regardless of seasonal changes."
"In the plural form, 'evergreens,' the collective branches or foliage of such plants, often used for decorative purposes."
"Something that maintains popularity, or usefulness over a long period of time."
Synonyms:
conifer, perennial, perennial plant.
Relating to a long lasting item: classic, staple.
Antonyms:
deciduous plant.
Key nuances:
The definitions emphasize the "continuous" nature of the greenness, both literally and figuratively.
The figurative definitions focus on resisting "obsolescence," which captures the essence of enduring relevance.
The added definition of evergreen, relating to content, is very important in todays digital age.
It's important to reiterate that "evergreen" is overwhelmingly used as an adjective or a noun. Its usage as a verb or adverb is exceptionally rare, to the point of being negligible in common language.
10 Famous Quotes Using Evergreen
"Friendship is a sheltering tree, evergreen through all seasons." — Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"Love is evergreen; it grows even when the leaves of passion have fallen." — Victor Hugo
"Hope is the evergreen of the soul." — Thomas Carlyle
"Evergreen memories are the true wealth of age." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Faith must be evergreen, refreshed with every morning’s light." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The evergreen tree holds fast in the storm; so too must the just man in adversity." — Marcus Aurelius
"Great literature is evergreen; it speaks anew to every generation." — T.S. Eliot
"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together, evergreen and enduring." — Woodrow Wilson
"An evergreen soul never grows old, though the body falters." — George Bernard Shaw
"Art, when it is true, is evergreen; it never ceases to bloom." — Leo Tolstoy
Etymology
The Basic Meaning:
The word "evergreen" is a compound word, meaning it's made up of two separate words put together:
"ever": This word means "always" or "continuously."
"green": This refers to the color green, which is associated with living plants and foliage.
So, when you combine them, "evergreen" literally means "always green."
How it Came About:
The word developed naturally as people observed certain plants that kept their green leaves throughout the year, unlike deciduous trees that shed their leaves in autumn.
The concept of plants that retained their greenness year-round has existed for as long as people have observed nature.
The actual word "evergreen" emerged in the English language relatively late in comparison to the words "ever" and "green".
The first known use of the word "evergreen" was in the 17th century. It was created to describe plants that kept their foliage all year long.
In essence:
"Evergreen" is a straightforward descriptive term that arose from the observation of plants that maintain their green color throughout all seasons. It’s a very logical combination of two simple words to create a descriptive word. Over time, the word has also taken on a figurative meaning, representing things that are lasting or continually relevant, much like the enduring greenness of the plants themselves.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Evergreen
"Evergreen" isn't a word that lends itself to a wide range of common idioms and phrases. This is largely because its primary use is descriptive, rather than metaphorical in the way that many idiom-forming words are. However, we can create a list that includes some less common phrases, and related concepts:
Direct Uses:
"Evergreen content": This is a widely used phrase in digital marketing and content creation, referring to content that remains relevant and valuable over a long period.
"Evergreen forest": A very common phrase that refers to a forest made up of trees that keep their leaves all year.
"Evergreen shrubs": A phrase used in gardening and landscaping to refer to shrubs that maintain their green foliage.
"An evergreen classic": Used to describe a movie, book, song, or other piece of art that remains popular and relevant over time.
Metaphorical and Synonymous Phrases:
"To have perennial appeal": This uses the synonym "perennial" and captures the idea of lasting popularity.
"To be a timeless piece": This phrase conveys the same meaning as "evergreen classic," emphasizing the enduring quality.
"To maintain a verdant reputation": This uses "verdant" (another synonym) and extends the idea of greenness to a reputation, suggesting it remains fresh and positive.
"To be a constant presence": This phrase captures the idea of something that is always there, like an evergreen tree.
"To have enduring value": This phrase focuses on the long-lasting usefulness of something, similar to the enduring greenness of an evergreen.
"A lasting impression": Although it does not contain the word evergreen, it carries the same weight, and feeling.
Why it's limited:
"Evergreen" is fundamentally a descriptive adjective. While it has taken on a figurative meaning, that meaning is still closely tied to its literal definition.
Many idioms rely on metaphorical twists or unexpected combinations of words, and "evergreen" doesn't naturally lend itself to those kinds of constructions.
Therefore, while "evergreen" is a useful word, its usage in idioms is relatively limited.
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Source Information
Definition of evergreen from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
