gardenia

American  

[gahr-dee-nyuh, -nee-uh] / gɑrˈdi nyə, -ni ə /

noun

1. any evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the genus Gardenia, of the madder family, native to the warmer parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, cultivated for its usually large, fragrant white flowers.

2. the flower of any of these plants.

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gardenia British  

/ ɡɑːˈdiːnɪə /

noun

1. any evergreen shrub or tree of the Old World tropical rubiaceous genus Gardenia, cultivated for their large fragrant waxlike typically white flowers

2. the flower of any of these shrubs

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Etymology

Origin of gardenia

< New Latin (1760), after Alexander Garden (1730–91), American physician; -ia

Example Sentences

The FDA is instead encouraging the use of so-called natural food dyes such as gardenia blue and calcium phosphate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

Yield makes minimalist citronella candles and incense sticks, lightly fragranced with gardenia, eucalyptus and citronella.

From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2023

And a genipin-derived blue from gardenia fruits that has long been used in parts of Asia could soon enter the U.S. and international markets, too.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 14, 2023

Both are customizable with a selection of 30 odors, including gardenia, caramel, ginger, clove, mojito and coconut milk.

From Scientific American • May 9, 2023

The afternoon was quiet, disturbed only by the rushing stream and the buzzing of a colibrí around my gardenia bush.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago