maple

/ˈmeɪpl̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: maples

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A small tree, Acer campestre, known as the common maple, field maple, or hedge maple, which has palmate leaves with five lobes and winged seeds, and is chiefly native to East Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America.

Noun

Examples

The vvarlike Beech, the Aſh for nothing ill, / The fruitfull Oliue, and the Plataine round, / The caruer Holme, the Maple ſeeldom invvard ſound.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A small tree, Acer campestre, known as the common maple, field maple, or hedge maple, which has palmate leaves with five lobes and winged seeds, and is chiefly native to East Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America. — Often preceded by a descriptive word: a tree of the genus Acer, characterized by (usually) palmate leaves and winged seeds, and often grown for syrup or wood; especially the su

Noun

Examples

Russian maple

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Of the light-brown colour of the wood of a maple tree (etymology 1, noun sense 1.3).

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Of the flavour of, or made with, maple syrup.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “maple” mean?

A small tree, Acer campestre, known as the common maple, field maple, or hedge maple, which has palmate leaves with five lobes and winged seeds, and is chiefly native to East Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America.

Is “maple” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.