hibiscus

American  

[hahy-bis-kuhs, hi-] / haɪˈbɪs kəs, hɪ- /

noun

hibiscuses plural

1. Also called China rose.  a woody plant, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the mallow family, having large, showy flowers: the state flower of Hawaii.

2. any of numerous other plants, shrubs, or trees of the genus Hibiscus, characterized by lobate or dentate leaves and usually profusely blooming flowers.

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hibiscus British  

/ haɪˈbɪskəs /

noun

1. any plant of the chiefly tropical and subtropical malvaceous genus Hibiscus, esp H. rosa-sinensis, cultivated for its large brightly coloured flowers

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hibiscuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hibiscus

1700–10; < New Latin, Latin < Greek hibískos mallow

Example Sentences

The always-bustling neighborhood will turn up a notch when Ghanaians, Ivorians and Senegalese gather over jollof rice, tart bissap drinks made from hibiscus flowers and rich, shareable lamb and seafood dishes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

It’s meticulously organized perfection: Its various neighborhoods, gated communities, parks, and street are pristine and feature shallow lagoons and golf courses, palm trees and hibiscus, blue skies and backyard swimming pools.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

Their menu is seasonal, but they have this really tasty drink called the hibiscus margarita and they line it with Tajin.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2024

Other fellow mint lovers recommended brewing fresh sprigs of mint with various herbal teas, like chamomile, hibiscus, valerian and rooibos.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2024

The walls are painted in flam-boyant colors: hibiscus pink, lilac, pistachio, and are crowded with clusters of paintings and drawings and photographs.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri