noun

heliotrope

HEE-lee-uh-trohp

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Heliotrope (noun) means a fragrant plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially garden heliotrope, which bears clusters of small purple flowers. Example: “Gardeners grow heliotrope along the border for its strong, sweet scent.”

noun

A fragrant plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially garden heliotrope, which bears clusters of small purple flowers.

"Gardeners grow heliotrope along the border for its strong, sweet scent."

"The heliotrope's purple flower clusters filled the greenhouse with fragrance."

"She planted heliotrope near the patio so its perfume would drift indoors."

A light purple or violet colour like that of heliotrope flowers.

"She chose heliotrope for the bedroom walls."

"The evening sky faded through pinks into heliotrope."

"The fabric came in heliotrope as well as plain lilac."

adjective

Of a light purple or violet colour like that of heliotrope flowers.

"The dress was a soft heliotrope shade."

"Heliotrope curtains hung either side of the window."

"The paint chart listed several heliotrope tones."

How to use heliotrope

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHeliotrope is a fragrant purple-flowered garden plant, and also the light purple colour named after it.

When to use it

Heliotrope is more of a gardening and colour-naming word than something used in everyday conversation.

Memory tip

The helio- part is the same root found in heliocentric, so it always points back to the sun.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

heliotrope flowers a shade of heliotrope the scent of heliotrope heliotrope perfume

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “heliotrope” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Gardeners grow _____ along the border for its strong, sweet scent.

Etymology

Heliotrope entered English from French héliotrope, which came from Latin hēliotropium, itself from Ancient Greek hēlĭotrópĭon. That Greek word is built from hḗlĭos, meaning the sun, and trópos, meaning a turn, so the plant was originally named for the way it turns to follow the sun.

Origin: Ancient Greek, via Latin and French

Synonyms

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cherry pie garden heliotrope bloodstone

Rhymes for heliotrope

ope pope mope rope dope hope lope nope cope trope slope grope

See all rhymes for heliotrope →

Frequently asked questions

Why is heliotrope called that?

The name comes from Greek words for sun and turn, because the plant's flowers were said to turn to follow the sun.

What colour is heliotrope?

It is a light purple or violet colour, named after the shade of heliotrope flowers.

Is heliotrope the same plant as cherry pie?

Yes, cherry pie is another name for garden heliotrope, the fragrant purple-flowered Heliotropium arborescens.

What is the meaning of heliotrope?

"heliotrope" (noun) means a fragrant plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially garden heliotrope, which bears clusters of small purple flowers.