leaves

The tree's green leaves rustle gently in the summer breeze.

Definition

1. Noun (plural of ):
   • Plant foliage: "leaves" are the flat, typically green structures that grow from the stem or branch of a plant, responsible for photosynthesis.
   • Pages: "leaves" can refer to sheets of paper in a book or document, especially when considered as two sides of a single sheet.
   • Detachable parts: In furniture, "leaves" are hinged or removable sections that extend the surface area of a table.

Usage Examples

• Plant foliage:

  • In autumn, the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold. (The plant foliage changes color in the fall season.)
  • The gardener raked the fallen leaves into a pile. (He gathered the dry foliage from the ground.)

• Pages:

  • He carefully turned the leaves of the ancient manuscript. (He flipped the pages of the old book with caution.)
  • The book has several loose leaves that need to be repaired. (Some sheets of paper are detached from the binding.)

• Detachable parts:

  • We added two leaves to the dining table to seat eight guests. (We inserted removable sections to enlarge the table's surface.)

Advanced Usage

• "to take a leaf out of someone's book": to imitate or follow someone's example.

  • She decided to take a leaf out of her mentor's book and start her own business. (She copied her mentor's successful approach.)

• "to turn over a new leaf": to change one's behavior for the better; to start anew.

  • After his health scare, he turned over a new leaf and began exercising daily. (He adopted a healthier lifestyle.)

• "in leaf": describing a plant that has produced its foliage.

  • The oak tree is now in leaf after the spring rains. (The tree has grown its leaves.)

Variants and Related Words

• Leaf (n, singular): a single flat structure from a plant or a single sheet of paper.

  • One leaf fell from the branch. (A single foliage unit dropped.)

• Leafy (adj): having many leaves; resembling foliage.

  • The leafy forest provided cool shade. (The forest was dense with foliage.)

• Leaflet (n): a small, printed sheet of paper, often used for advertising; also a small leaf of a compound plant.

  • He handed out a leaflet about the charity event. (A small informational pamphlet.)

Synonyms

• Foliage: the collective leaves of a plant.

  • The tree's foliage was lush and green. (All the leaves together.)

• Pages: sheets of paper in a book.

  • The pages of the novel were yellowed with age. (The leaves of the book.)

Phrasal Verbs (none directly with leaves as a noun; see leaf as verb)

• Leaf through: to turn pages quickly without reading carefully.
  • She leafed through the magazine while waiting. (She flipped the leaves of the magazine.)

Related Idioms

• "shake like a leaf": to tremble with fear or cold.

  • He was shaking like a leaf before his speech. (He trembled uncontrollably.)

• "turn over a new leaf": (already listed above under Advanced Usage) to reform or start fresh.

  • After his release from prison, he turned over a new leaf. (He changed his criminal behavior.)