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Word: autumn

Pronunciation: /ˈɔː.təm/ (UK), /ˈɑ.təm/ (US) – Stress on the first syllable.

Meaning

1. Noun: The season between summer and winter, characterized by falling leaves and harvest time. It typically falls in September, October, and November in the Northern Hemisphere and March, April, and May in the Southern Hemisphere.

2. Noun: The period or stage in life when energy or activity levels start to decline.

3. Noun (fashion): A person with dark hair and warm skin tone, suited for particular clothing colours.

4. Verb: To change colour and prepare for falling (like leaves); to pass the season in a place.

Morphology & Grammar Notes

  • Noun Forms: Plural is autumns.
  • Verb Forms:
    • Base (infinitive): autumn
    • Present: autumn, autumn + s (for he/she/it), autumn + es
    • Present Participle: autumming
    • Simple Past: autumned, autumned (both used)
    • Present Participle: autumned, autumned
  • Capitalization: Like other seasons (spring, summer, winter), ‘autumn’ is not capitalized unless starting a sentence or part of a specific name.

Key Information

  • Synonyms: fall (N.America), harvest (UK), decline (figuratively), back end (UK).
  • Antonyms: spring, summer.
  • Common Collocations: autumn leaves, autumn weather, autumn holiday, autumn mood, autumn festivals.

Learning Tips & Interesting Facts

  • Mnemonic: Notice the ‘on’ ending, reminding you of ONe of the seasons.
  • US vs. UK: In the US/Canada, ‘fall’ is the common term, while ‘autumn’ is more formal. Outside North America, ‘autumn’ is standard.
  • Etyymology: Comes from Latin ‘autumnus’, via French (automne), entering English around the 14th century.
  • Figurative Use: Refers to the decline phase later in life or in an organization.

Examples

Simple: The autumn leaves are red and gold.

Medium: The poet used vivid colours to describe the changing autumn landscape.

Complex: Just as autumn leaves fall naturally, the aging professor knew his time teaching was entering its autumn.

Mini-Tasks

  1. Argument: Which season does ‘autumn’ usually start in the Northern Hemisphere? (Answer: September)
  2. Grammar: Which word is the verb form of ‘autumn’? (Picture, Autumn, autumn, autumned)
  3. Memory: Think of another season that ends with the sound ‘-mer’. (Answer: summer)
  4. Use it: Make a sentence with ‘autumn’ describing the weather.