honeysuckle

American  

[huhn-ee-suhk-uhl] / ˈhʌn iˌsʌk əl /

noun

1. any of numerous North American and Eurasian shrubs or twining vines of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), many species of which are hardy climbers known for their highly fragrant tubular flowers, especially those of genus Lonicera.

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honeysuckle British  

/ ˈhʌnɪˌsʌkəl /

noun

1. any temperate caprifoliaceous shrub or vine of the genus Lonicera: cultivated for their fragrant white, yellow, or pink tubular flowers

2. any of several similar plants

3. any of various Australian trees or shrubs of the genus Banksia, having flowers in dense spikes: family Proteaceae

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Usage

What is honeysuckle? Honeysuckle is a climbing or upright shrub with fragrant white, yellow, pink, or red tubular flowers. This flower can also be called a honeysuckle. They are known for having a sweet drop of nectar that you can get by pulling the stamen out of the base of the flower blossom. However, other parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested. There are many different species of honeysuckle, including Diervilla lonicera and Lonicera periclymenum. Any species in the genus Lornicera can be called honeysuckle. Names for some varieties of honeysuckle include woodbine and common honeysuckle. The honeysuckle is one of the June birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Example: The kids made a bouquet of wild honeysuckle flowers that they found in the woods.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• honeysuckled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of honeysuckle

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honisoukel, equivalent to honisouke + -el; see honey, suck, -le

Example Sentences

The two motherless African-American children at the heart of “Kin,” Vernice Irene Davis and Annie Kay Henderson, who grow up as “cradle friends” in Honeysuckle, La., are easy to feel for.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Her partnership with Honeysuckle was a great match.

From BBC • May 12, 2025

A Plus Tard's trainer De Bromhead, who also trains Minella Indo, and Blackmore teamed up for an emotional success in the Mares' Hurdle with Honeysuckle on Tuesday.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2023

Honeysuckle vines are not drought-tolerant, and if they’re planted in a hot, dry location, they’re often plagued with powdery mildew and aphids.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 23, 2022

Honeysuckle and bull briar were slowly taking over the big fields.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry