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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

perennial

Adjective

IPA /pəˈreniəl/

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Meaning in plain English

Continuing for a long time or returning repeatedly.

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Pronunciation

perennial/pəˈreniəl/

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Both ways
  1. The same problem occurs this year

  2. It returns in following years

A perennial problem continues for a long time or repeatedly returns.

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  1. Parking is a perennial problem in our narrow street.
  2. The seminar returned to the perennial question of how people learn best.

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Parking is a ________ problem in our narrow street.
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perennial — Continuing for a long time or returning repeatedly.

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Continuing for a long time or returning repeatedly.

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Word origin

From Latin perennis, meaning lasting throughout the year, with -ial.

Did you know?

Perennial problem, perennial question and perennial favourite describe things that persist or return.

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perennial

/pəˈreniəl/ (Adjective)

“This lesson uses the continuing or recurring sense. Perennial also has a specific botanical meaning for plants.”

englishskillstudio.com