Origin: Latin suffix -al
Annual has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
(botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
"The botanist carefully transplanted the annual marigolds into fresh soil to ensure they could complete their rapid life cycle before the first frost arrived."
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.
"The theater company released its annual this spring, showcasing highlights from the entire season's performances."
In plain English: An annual is a plant that grows for only one year before it dies.
"The company holds an annual meeting where employees gather to celebrate their achievements."
Usage: Use "annual" as a noun to refer specifically to a publication issued once every year, such as a yearbook or an annual report. Do not use this term for general yearly events unless they are formally published documents.
Happening once every year.
"The company holds its annual review meeting in March to assess last year's performance."
In plain English: Annual means something that happens once every year.
"The company publishes an annual report to its shareholders every December."
Usage: Use annual as an adjective to describe events or cycles that occur exactly once per year, such as an annual report or an annual meeting. Do not use it to mean yearly in the sense of "every year" when referring to something that happens multiple times annually without specifying a single instance.
The word annual entered English in the late 14th century from the Latin annualis, which literally means "of or pertaining to a year." While it originally described things occurring yearly, its specific use for plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season began around 1710.