perennially

Perennially is an adverb that describes something that endures or recurs from year to year, or that continues across multiple seasons. It often conveys a sense of persistent repetition or long-lasting presence, sometimes with an emphasis on habitual or expected recurrence. The term is derived from perennial, meaning lasting more than two growing seasons, with the -ly suffix used to form an adverb from an adjective.

Etymology and sense: Perennial comes from the Latin perennis, meaning lasting through the year, from per- “through” and annus “year.” Perennially, therefore, emphasizes the ongoing, repeating, or enduring nature of a state, action, or condition over many years.

Botanical usage: In botany, a perennial plant lives for more than two years, as opposed to annuals or biennials. When gardeners or horticulturists speak of a plant blooming perennially, they refer to species or varieties that flower across multiple growing seasons, though flowering may still vary with climate, age, or care. The adverb perennially can be used to describe the habit or performance of such plants, for example, “the variety is perennially popular in temperate gardens.”

Figurative usage: In general language, perennially is used to describe phenomena, reputations, or conditions that persist or recur over many years. Examples include “a perennially popular novel,” “perennially late schedules,” or “perennially debated policies.” While sometimes figurative, the word maintains a sense of long-standing or habitual occurrence rather than a one-time event.

See also: perennial, perennation, perennialism.