henna

[ hen-uh ]

noun

1. an Asian shrub or small tree, Lawsonia inermis, of the loosestrife family, having elliptic leaves and fragrant flowers.
2. a reddish-orange dye or cosmetic made from the leaves of this plant.
3. a color midway between red-brown and orange-brown.

verb (used with object)

, hen·naed, hen·na·ing.

1. to tint or dye with henna.

henna

/ ˈhɛnə /

noun

1. a lythraceous shrub or tree, Lawsonia inermis, of Asia and N Africa, with white or reddish fragrant flowers
2. a reddish dye obtained from the powdered leaves of this plant, used as a cosmetic and industrial dye
3. a reddish-brown or brown colour

verb

1. tr to dye with henna

Word History and Origins

Origin of henna¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, henna is from the Arabic word hinnā'

Word History and Origins

Origin of henna¹

C16: from Arabic hinnā'; see alkanet

Example Sentences

Her feet, covered in bold red henna, outstretched before her on the stone bench as she sat nursing a cup of shaah in one hand, basking in the sun and resting for a time.

From Washington Post

The stores offer permanent ink tattoos and temporary henna tattoos, along with piercings and the usual assortment of beach goods.

From Washington Post

His children were training to do piercings and henna tattoos.

From Washington Post

All of it — the tattoos, the henna, the piercings and airbrush art — shared a common allure for beach visitors, Zarfati said.

From Washington Post

I joined because we had fundraisers and sleepovers where we would sneak out and go get food, or we would do, like, henna tattoos.

From Vox

In the center of the street, somebody is painting henna tattoos.

From The Daily Beast

"It is past," cried she, bending her henna-dyed hand across her brow, as if to drive away a vapor.

From Project Gutenberg

Her eyes were lozenges of antimony; her hands, dipped in henna, seemed clad in pale kid gloves.

From Project Gutenberg

Flesh-colored stockings, Petticoat decreed, and henna slippers with carved jade buckles.

From Project Gutenberg

The tips of the fingers shade to a deep rose color, such as is imparted by the henna of the Orientals.

From Project Gutenberg

And thus, joy suddenly faded into horror, and the most beautiful became the most hideous, as Hinnon became Ge-Henna.

From Project Gutenberg