##  [spring](/writing-tips-plus/spring)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

Various forms of the word *spring* are found in many Germanic languages and can be traced back to the ancient root *sprengh*, meaning “rapid movement.”

In Old English, *springan* meant “to leap” or “to burst forth.” In the 15th and 16th centuries, such expressions as *spring of the leaf*, *spring of the year* and *spring-time* came into use to describe the season after winter and before summer—the period of the year when new growth “burst forth.” In time, these expressions were shortened to simply *spring*.

## Part of speech

The word *spring* can be used

- as a noun: I can’t wait for **spring** to arrive!
- as a modifier: The **spring** schedule will be posted in March.

## Capitalization

As a season, *spring* is written with a lower case *s*.

- The first day of **spring** is traditionally March 21.

You should capitalize the word *spring*

- when it begins a sentence: **Spring** is the busiest season of the year for gardeners.
- when it is personified: “The snow melted in **Spring’s** warm breath.”
- when it is part of a title: Have you read George Woodcock’s book *Northern **Spring**: The Flowering of Canadian Literature*?
- when it is part of a proper noun: Ottawans and tourists alike enjoy the capital’s annual Festival of **Spring**.

## Expressions related to spring

Since spring holds the promise of rebirth and joy, expressions related to spring are all about youth, growth and new life. Here are a few popular ones:

**spring fever** the feeling of vitality or restlessness brought on by the arrival of warm spring weather **Spring forward, fall back.** an expression used in reference to Daylight Saving Time to help people remember to set their clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall **Spring is in the air.** Spring has arrived or is just around the corner. **springtime of one’s life** Life is sometimes compared to the seasons, so *the springtime of one’s life* stands for one’s youth or early years. **to be full of the joys of spring** an expression used in a humorous sense, meaning “to be very happy; to be enthusiastic” **to be no spring chicken** to be past one’s youth## Canadian quotation

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” —Margaret Atwood

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## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
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