fall, autumn

On this page

• Usage
• Parts of speech
• Capitalization rules
• Phrases, expressions and sayings
• Additional information

Usage

In Canada, we use the words fall and autumn interchangeably to refer to the season between summer and winter. Whereas fall is the more informal word, autumn is considered more formal.

In the United States and Great Britain, both words are also used. However, fall is more common in the United States, and autumn is more common in Great Britain.

Parts of speech

You can use the words fall and autumn as nouns or modifiers:

• The medical students will start their residencies in the fall. [noun]
• The autumn leaves create a beautiful tapestry of colours. [modifier]
• Tourists can enjoy stunning fall foliage in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. [modifier]
• It was a crisp fall day: cool but not cold. [modifier]

Capitalization rules

The words fall and autumn are normally written in lower case when they’re used as common nouns or modifiers:

• We bicycled through the fall colours and stopped at a fall fair in Old Chelsea.
• Bliss Carman’s famous poem “A Vagabond Song” begins, “There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood—.”

However, you should capitalize the words fall and autumn in the following cases:

• when they’re the first word in a sentence
  • Fall is an ideal time to get back into a routine.
• when they’re personified
  • With her strong gusts, Autumn swirls the leaves with abandon.
• when they’re part of a proper noun
  • The Fall Flavours Food & Drink Festival is a celebration of PEI’s incredible foodscape.
• when they’re part of a title
  • Diana Krall released a cover of the song “Autumn in New York.”

Phrases, expressions and sayings

autumn years, autumn of life

Meaning: the phase of life that follows middle age; the later years of a person’s life

• After retirement, I decided to slow down and enjoy every moment in the autumn of my life.

autumnal equinox

The autumnal equinox falls on September 22 or 23 each year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the date marks the change from summer to autumn.

Additional information

• Capitalization: seasons