annual

Pronunciation: /ˈænjuəl/

adjective

Difficulty: common

Definition of annual

Occurring or recurring once every year; pertaining to a period of one year.

Origin of annual

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: annuus

Original meaning: yearly

How it evolved: Initially used to describe something that recurs every year, the term has retained its literal meaning since its adoption into English.

The word 'annual' originates from the Latin word 'annuus,' which means 'yearly,' derived from 'annus,' meaning 'year.' The term entered the English language in the late 14th century.

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember annual

Think of 'ann' as in 'anniversary,' which happens once every year, just like something that is annual.

Synonyms for annual

  • yearly
  • perennial
  • cyclical
  • periodic
  • seasonal
  • annually recurring
  • once-a-year
  • recurring annually

Antonyms of annual

annual in a Sentence

  1. The company’s annual report provides a comprehensive overview of its financial performance over the past year.
  2. As part of an annual tradition, the community gathers to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season.
  3. The scholarship is offered on an annual basis, so students must reapply each year.

annual in Literature & Culture

The term 'annual' is frequently used in literature and media to describe recurring events, such as Charles Dickens’ frequent references to annual celebrations like Christmas, which plays a central role in his famous novella, 'A Christmas Carol.'

Usage Notes

While 'annual' is often used to describe events or reports, it can also apply to plants that complete their life cycle in one year (e.g., 'annual plants'). Be careful not to confuse it with 'annul,' which means to declare something invalid.

Why annual Matters for GRE & SAT

The word 'annual' is commonly tested on the GRE because it can appear in reading comprehension passages and Sentence Equivalence questions, where understanding time-related vocabulary is crucial.

Word Family

annually (adverb)
Once every year.
annuity (noun)
A fixed sum of money paid to someone yearly.
anniversary (noun)
The yearly recurrence of a date marking an event.
perennial (adjective)
Lasting for an indefinitely long time; recurring year after year.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of 'annual' celebrations dates back to ancient times when agricultural societies marked yearly harvests with festivals.
  • Annual plants, such as marigolds and sunflowers, live for only one growing season, unlike perennials which regrow year after year.
  • The annual migration of monarch butterflies covers up to 3,000 miles and is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena in the world.
  • perennial
  • abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
  • aberrant — deviating from what is normal or expected
  • aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
  • abet — assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable

More Vocabulary Words Starting with A

  • abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
  • aberrant — deviating from what is normal or expected
  • aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
  • abet — assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable