noun

gardenia

gah-DEEN-yuh

Gardenia (noun) means a shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, or the flower itself. Example: “She pinned a gardenia in her hair for the wedding.”

noun

A shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, or the flower itself.

"She pinned a gardenia in her hair for the wedding."

"The scent of gardenia filled the greenhouse."

How to use gardenia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA flowering plant known for its strong, sweet perfume and creamy white blooms.

Word forms

gardenias plural

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She pinned a _____ in her hair for the wedding.

Etymology

Named after the 18th-century Scottish naturalist Dr. Alexander Garden.

· First attested 1700

Class of 1700 gardenia joined the language around 1700.

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Rhymes for gardenia

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

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Frequently asked questions

What does “gardenia” mean?

The word “gardenia” means a shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, or the flower itself. In plain terms, a flowering plant known for its strong, sweet perfume and creamy white blooms.

How do you pronounce “gardenia”?

“Gardenia” is pronounced gah-DEEN-yuh (/ɡɑɹˈdinjə/ in IPA).

How do you use “gardenia” in a sentence?

Here is “gardenia” used in a sentence: “She pinned a gardenia in her hair for the wedding.”

What part of speech is “gardenia”?

“Gardenia” is a noun.

Where does the word “gardenia” come from?

The word “gardenia” dates back to around 1700. Named after the 18th-century Scottish naturalist Dr. Alexander Garden.