Added 3 October 2026
annual
/ˈæn.ju.əl/ adjective
In Latin: annuus, anniversārius First recorded: 1382 Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about annual at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Happening once every year.
an annual general meeting; an annual publication
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Of, for, or relating to a whole year, often as a recurring cycle; determined or reckoned by the year; accumulating in the course of a year; performed, executed, or completed over the course of a year. See also circannual.
an annual salary; average annual profits; the annual course of the sun
- Having a life cycle that is completed in only one growing season, e.g., beans, corn, marigold. See Annual plant in Wikipedia. Compare biennial, perennial.
noun
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An annual publication; a book, periodical, journal, report, comic book, yearbook, etc., which is published serially once a year, which may or may not be in addition to regular weekly or monthly publication.
I read the magazine, but I usually don't purchase the annuals.
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An annual plant; a plant with a life span of just one growing season; a plant which naturally germinates, flowers and dies in one year. Compare biennial, perennial.
I can't wait to plant my annuals in the spring.
- A medical checkup taking place once a year.
Origin
First attested around 1382, borrowed from Late Latin annuālem, annuālis, related to Latin annālis, adjective form of annus (“year”). Used to categorize plants since 1710.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)