English · Word Candidate

perennial

/pəˈɹɛn.ɪ.əl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: perennials

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, for multiple years, or all the time.

Adjective

Examples

a perennial stream

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

Continuing without cessation or intermission for several years, or for an undetermined or infinite period; never-ending or never failing; perpetual, unceasing.

Adjective

Examples

His artwork has a perennial beauty.

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

A plant that is active throughout the year, or has a life cycle of more than two growing seasons.

Noun

Examples

One would have supposed from the appearance of the country at the end of the first season after the eruption that practically all plants except the trees and bushes had been destroyed, and that revegetation must be due to new seedlings started on the ash. Such, however, is not the case. Excavation o

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 4

Meaning · English

A thing that lasts forever.

Noun

Sources & notes

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

Common questions

What does “perennial” mean?

Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, for multiple years, or all the time.

Is “perennial” formal or informal?

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