noun
Uncommon
Erica
Erica (noun) means any of the many heather plants in the genus Erica, often grown in gardens. Example: “The rockery was planted with several types of erica.”
noun
1
Any of the many heather plants in the genus Erica, often grown in gardens.
"The rockery was planted with several types of erica."
name
1
A female given name, the feminine form of Eric.
"Erica graduated top of her class."
How to use Erica
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a woman's first name, or a heather shrub used in gardening.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ericas
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The rockery was planted with several types of _____.
Etymology
The feminine form of Eric; the plant genus name comes separately from Greek ereike ("heath, heather").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Erica
See all rhymes for Erica →Frequently asked questions
What does “Erica” mean?
The word “Erica” means a female given name, the feminine form of Eric. In plain terms, either a woman's first name, or a heather shrub used in gardening.
How do you use “Erica” in a sentence?
Here is “Erica” used in a sentence: “Erica graduated top of her class.”
What part of speech is “Erica”?
Depending on how it is used, “Erica” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Erica” come from?
The word “Erica” comes from Greek. The feminine form of Eric; the plant genus name comes separately from Greek ereike ("heath, heather").
Is “Erica” a common word?
“Erica” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Erica” have?
“Erica” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female given name, the feminine form of Eric.
Is Erica always capitalized?
As a given name, Erica is always capitalized, but when referring to the heather plant genus in general writing it is often lowercased as "erica" or "ericas," except in formal botanical writing where the genus name Erica is capitalized and italicized. Context determines which form is correct.
What is the difference between Erica and Erika?
Erica and Erika are variant spellings of the same feminine given name, both used as feminine forms related to Eric. The choice between them is a matter of personal or family spelling preference rather than a difference in meaning.
Is Erica the same as the heather plant sold in garden centers?
Yes, "Erica" is the genus name for many heather species commonly grown as ornamental garden plants, prized for their small bell-shaped flowers and tolerance of poor soil. Garden centers may also simply label them "heathers."
