leaf peeper

noun

US
: a person who visits wooded areas in autumn to view the changing colors of the foliage
Leaf peepers in northern Maine will find more orange blazing in the forestlands than they might have found in previous years …Down East
leaf-peeping noun US
… Woodstock, Vermont—one of New England's prettiest towns and a prime destination for fall leaf peeping. Danielle Pergament

Examples of leaf peeper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In any normal year, the Blue Ridge Parkway would be clogged with leaf peepers right about now — out-of-towners from Charlotte to the Triangle and beyond, all there to feast on a changing landscape of red, orange and yellow against a backdrop of mountains. Katie Peralta Soloff, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024 Autumn brings leaf peepers seeking the intoxicating colors of fall foliage, and in the winter, there’s even ice fishing. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025 Calling all wildflower wanderers, leaf peepers, and winter hiking warriors: 2025 is here. Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025 As the air becomes a crisp 56 degrees, leaf peepers are beckoned to explore the outdoors, like at Multnomah Falls – the state's largest waterfall – and the myriad trails at Forest Park. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024 Asheville-area businesses heavily rely on the high-season dollars of leaf peepers as the bulk of their revenue for the entire year. Jenn Rice, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024 Most leaf peepers admire the foliage on hiking trails and mountain roads, but there are some restaurants where patrons can observe the colorful trees right from their table. Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Now, leaf peepers can indulge in a fine dining experience after a day of foliage hunting in the Catskills. Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Here's where to see the fall leaves in Arizona: Flagstaff: There's no denying that Flagstaff is a popular spot for leaf peepers. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leaf peeper was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Leaf peeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaf%20peeper. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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