azalea

[uh-zeyl-yuh]

noun

1. any of numerous shrubs belonging to a particular group (Azalea) of the genus Rhododendron, of the heath family, comprising species with handsome flower clusters of various colors, some of which are familiar in cultivation: the group was formerly the botanical genus Azalea but is now a horticultural classification.

azalea

/ əˈzeɪljə /

noun

1. any ericaceous plant of the group Azalea, formerly a separate genus but now included in the genus Rhododendron: cultivated for their showy pink or purple flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of azalea¹

1750–60; < New Latin < Greek azaléa, noun use of feminine of azaléos dry; so named because it grows in dry soil

Word History and Origins

Origin of azalea¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek, from azaleos dry; from its supposed preference for a dry situation

Example Sentences

Some plants, such as blueberries, azaleas and camellias, prefer acidic soils, i.e., soils with a pH below 7.

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The azaleas are at the end of their run, but were extra spectacular this year.

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Miraculously, the fire barely touched the area of the nursery where thousands of potted camellias and azaleas were ready for sale under a breezy wood-lathe framework covered by shade cloth.

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Uyematsu lives on at the gardens, but Southern California still has one other internationally famous nursery devoted to camellias and azaleas in Altadena.

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It was like that all over the famed course, where the azaleas blooms are on their last leg and turf is firm under a blazing sun, save for a few minutes during the solar eclipse.

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