honeysuckle

noun

hon·​ey·​suck·​le ˈhə-nē-ˌsə-kəl 

: any of a genus (Lonicera of the family Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family) of shrubs with opposite leaves and fragrant tubular flowers rich in nectar

broadly : any of various plants (such as a columbine or azalea) with tubular flowers rich in nectar

Illustration of honeysuckle

Examples of honeysuckle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Invasive honeysuckle is also objectively destroying the understory layer of our oak and hickory forests, shading the forest floor and releasing a growth-inhibiting chemical in their leaves and berries. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025

The palate is a balance of ripe apple, honeysuckle, ginger and flaky pie crust—just delicious. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Flavors of lemon-lime, tangerine peel, and honeysuckle are accented by a palpable sense of minerality, a hint of saltiness, and a bright through-line of acidity. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024

Prescribed burns also reduce the abundance of non-native brush, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English honysoukel clover, alteration of honysouke, from Old English hunisūce, from hunig honey + sūcan to suck

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing honeysuckle

• trumpet honeysuckle

Rhymes for honeysuckle

• buckle
• chicle
• chuckle
• knuckle
• muckle
• suckle
• tical

Kids Definition

honeysuckle

noun

hon·​ey·​suck·​le -ˌsək-əl 

: any of a genus of shrubs having fragrant tube-shaped flowers rich in nectar