annual

1 of 2

adjective

an·​nu·​al ˈan-yə(-wə)l How to pronounce annual (audio)
-yü-əl
Synonyms of annual
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
annual income
2
: occurring or happening every year or once a year : yearly
an annual reunion
an annual physical checkup
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants

annual

2 of 2

noun

1
: an event that occurs yearly
2
: a publication appearing yearly
the high-school annual
3
: something that lasts one year or season
specifically : a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

Examples of annual in a Sentence

Adjective The annual meeting is in July. The company's earnings for last year are published in the annual report. We had more snow this year than the average annual amount. The company charges an annual fee of $45. Noun We planted some annuals in front of the house.
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.
Adjective
That means students pursuing these careers would be subject to the lower $20,500 annual loan limit. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 The proposal meant that, if approved, all counties in North Carolina would no longer have to undergo annual emissions testing. — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Noun
Deadheading helps these annuals last all summer long and keeps them looking neat. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 If your perennials and annuals get long and leggy with few flowers, or your shrubs put out long suckers that shoot straight up, your plants are reaching for more sun. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for annual

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French annuel, from Late Latin annualis, blend of Latin annuus yearly (from annus year) and Latin annalis yearly (from annus year); probably akin to Goth athnam (dative plural) years, Sanskrit atati he walks, goes

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of annual was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing annual

Rhymes for annual

See All Rhymes for annual

Browse Nearby Words

annoying
annual
annual bluegrass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Annual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annual. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

annual

1 of 2 adjective
an·​nu·​al ˈan-y(ə-w)əl How to pronounce annual (audio)
1
: covering the period of a year
annual rainfall
2
: occurring or performed once a year : yearly
an annual meeting
3
: completing the life cycle in one growing season or single year
annual plants
annually
-ē
adverb

annual

2 of 2 noun
1
: a publication appearing yearly
2
: an annual plant
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English annual "for a year," from early French annuel and Latin annualis (both, same meaning), derived from Latin annus "year"

More from Merriam-Webster on annual

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for annual

Nglish: Translation of annual for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about annual

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