African violet

noun

: any of several tropical African gesneriads (especially Streptocarpus ionanthus synonym Saintpaulia ionantha) widely grown as houseplants for their velvety fleshy leaves and showy purple, pink, or white flowers

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

African violet

noun

: a tropical African plant widely grown as a houseplant for its velvety fleshy leaves and showy purple, pink, or white flowers