gardenia

noun

gar·​de·​nia gär-ˈdē-nyə 

: any of a large genus (Gardenia) of Old World tropical trees and shrubs of the madder family with showy fragrant white or yellow flowers

Examples of gardenia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a beachy blue bottle of Salt, which smells like gardenia floating over ocean waves, and a chartreuse bottle of Sun Fruit, the fruity floral that wraps fresh fig and pear in a cozy vanilla cocoon. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 18 Feb. 2025

Kourtney's home was transformed with hundreds of tulips and gardenias arranged on the floor and suspended from the ceiling. —Lydia Price, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

The scents range from Chateau Life, a gardenia and eucalyptus mix, to Berry Harmony, a fruity floral scent with notes of blackcurrant. —Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

The blend of wild strawberry, violet, gardenia, and jasmine somehow always feels light and airy — even after multiple spritzes. —Tynan Sinks, Allure, 5 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Alexander Garden †1791 Scottish naturalist

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gardenia

noun

gar·​de·​nia gär-ˈdē-nyə 

: any of various Old World tropical trees and shrubs with leathery leaves and fragrant white or yellow flowers

also : one of the flowers