1 C1 neutral
Of a tree or plant: to produce and open its leaves, especially at the start of spring.
"The oak trees had begun to leaf out, covering the hillside in a soft green haze."
inseparable
leaf out
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
Of a tree or plant: to produce and open its leaves, especially in spring.
In plain English
When a tree grows its leaves again in spring.
What does "leaf out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To produce leaves out (outward from the branches).
Actually means
When a tree grows its leaves again in spring.
Usage tip
A botanical and horticultural term used to describe the seasonal emergence of leaves on deciduous trees. Mostly found in nature writing, gardening, and environmental contexts. Not common in everyday conversation.
Words that pair with "leaf out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
trees spring branches deciduous forest buds
How to conjugate "leaf out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
leaf out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leafs out
he/she/it
Past simple
leafed out
yesterday
Past participle
leafed out
have + pp
-ing form
leafing out
continuous
Hear "leaf out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "leaf out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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