Leafy describes something that has many leaves or is covered with leaves. A leafy tree in summer is full and green, with branches hidden beneath layers of foliage. A leafy salad is packed with lettuce, spinach, or other greens.

When you walk through a leafy neighborhood, you're surrounded by trees whose branches create natural shade over the sidewalks. Gardens become leafy in spring and summer as plants grow and spread their leaves to catch sunlight. Scientists call vegetables like kale and collard greens “leafy greens” because you eat their leaves rather than their roots or fruits.

The word captures that sense of lush, abundant plant growth. A single plant with a few leaves wouldn't be called leafy, but a thriving fern with dozens of fronds certainly would be. Leafy suggests healthy, vigorous growth, which is why people often describe peaceful, tree-filled places as having a leafy quality that makes them feel calm and natural.