(~s)
1.
You use ~ to describe situations or states that keep occurring or which seem to exist all the time; used especially to describe problems or difficulties.
...the ~ urban problems of drugs and homelessness...
= constant
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
Both services are ~ly short of staff.
ADV: usu ADV adj
2.
A ~ plant lives for several years and has flowers each year.
...a ~ herb with greenish-yellow flowers.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
•
Perennial is also a noun.
...a low-growing ~.
N-COUNT