autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯ-təm 

1

: the season between summer and winter comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November or as reckoned astronomically extending from the September equinox to the December solstice

called also fall

2

: a period of maturity or incipient decline

in the autumn of life

Synonyms

• afterlife
• afternoon
• age
• evening

Examples of autumn in a Sentence

in the autumn of last year

a magnificent New England autumn

She went off to college in the autumn of 1999.

When autumn came he planted grass.

Recent Examples on the Web

With slopes reaching altitudes of 3,600 meters, including the iconic Glacier de Mont-de-Lans, Les 2 Alpes ensures exceptional snow reliability throughout the season, from early autumn to late spring. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The 29-year-old expectant mom joined her husband, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, for a picturesque sweet stroll in the autumn leaves. —Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Essie Gel Couture Wool Me Over $10 at Amazon Get ready to hit the pumpkin patches with this warm beige-brown that is the definition of a neutral, except inspired by autumn. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2024

This comet is expected to be visible starting in April 2025 and peak in autumn, with optimal observation likely requiring a telescope. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English autumpne, borrowed from Anglo-French autompne, borrowed from Latin autumnus (also an adjective, "autumnal"), perhaps a borrowing from Etruscan

Note: Ernout and Meillet (Dictionaire étymologique de la langue latine) regard an Etruscan origin as definite ("sans doute") and compare the form to Vertumnus/Vortumnus, claimed by Varro to be an Etruscan god. (The Romans regarded Vertumnus as a god of the changing seasons, by association with the verb vertere "to turn.")

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing autumn

• autumn crocus

Kids Definition

autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯt-əm 

1

: the season between summer and winter including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November

called also fall

2

: a time late in an existence

in the autumn of life

autumnal

ȯ-ˈtəm-nəl 

adjective