Pronunciation

/lēf/

Definitions

• Noun (n): One of the usually green, flat, and broad organs that grow from the stem of a plant, often being specialized for photosynthesis and the storage of food. For example: “The tree shed its leaves in autumn.”
  • Also used metaphorically, such as “the book has 500 pages, each page a new leaf to explore.”
• Verb (v): To move through or over something by turning pages or layers. For example: “He leafed through the magazine quickly.”
  • Alternatively, it can refer to plants shedding or growing leaves: “The tree began to leaf out in the spring.”

Phrases

• “Turn over a new leaf”: To make a fresh start or change one’s behavior significantly for the better.
• “Take a leaf out of someone’s book”: To imitate someone because they have good qualities or methods.
• “Leaf through something”: To look through a book, magazine, or document quickly but not thoroughly.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “She collected a handful of colorful autumn leaves.”
• Verb: “He leafed through the old photo album, reminiscing about his childhood.”

Synonyms

• Noun:

  • foliage
  • frond
  • petal (for some specific types of leaves)
  • blade (in some contexts)

• Verb:

  • browse
  • flip through
  • skim
  • peruse