aloe

American  

[al-oh] / ˈæl oʊ /

noun

plural

aloes

1. any chiefly African shrub belonging to the genus Aloe, of the lily family, certain species of which yield a fiber.

2. aloe vera.

3. century plant.

4. (used with a singular verb) aloes, agalloch.

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aloe British  

/ ˌæləʊˈɛtɪk, ˈæləʊ /

noun

1. any plant of the liliaceous genus Aloe, chiefly native to southern Africa, with fleshy spiny-toothed leaves and red or yellow flowers

2. another name for century plant

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Other Word Forms

• aloetic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of aloe

First recorded before 950; Middle English alōe, alow, alewen; Old English al(u)we, alewe (compare Old Saxon, Old High German āloê ), from Latin aloē, from Greek alóē, perhaps from South Asia via Hebrew

Explanation

Aloe is a succulent, flowering plant that's native to Africa. You can grow aloe as a houseplant on a windowsill, and it can soothe your skin when you are suffering from a sunburn. The aloe plant is well-known because one variety, aloe vera, is commonly grown for the soothing qualities of its gel-like insides, which are used in lotions and cosmetics. You can use aloe to treat a sunburn, from a plant or a bottle purchased at a pharmacy or health food store. The Old English root is alewe, "fragrant resin of an East Indian tree."

Example Sentences

"What that means is that, in the case of the squirrel, it nibbled on aloe and took those metabolites into its own bloodstream," explained Bromage.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2026

Fresh mint leaves and aloe vera for his upcoming facial!

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

But there is one little thing: Okra, like marshmallow root and aloe vera, is mucilaginous, meaning it can get slimy when sliced and cooked.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2025

Keep aloe vera plants out of the reach of children, cats and dogs.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

He was the guy who wrote the properties of things, like how aloe soothes skin, and ginseng gives you focus.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri