hoya

American

[hoi-uh] / ˈhɔɪ ə /

noun

any shrubby climbing plant of the genus Hoya, of the milkweed family, especially the wax plant, H. carnosa, a pot plant with waxy white flowers.

hoya British

/ ˈhɔɪə /

noun

any plant of the asclepiadaceous genus Hoya, of E Asia and Australia, esp the waxplant popular as a house plant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hoya

< New Latin, named after Thomas Hoy (circa 1750–1822), English gardener; see -a ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her grandmother would lead her through herbs and hoya plants, pointing out each type and how it grew.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2022

This heart-shaped hoya sweetheart plant is endearing and can last as long as you don't kill it.

From The Verge • Jan. 27, 2022

“This variety of hoya is one of the easiest to take care of,” Muñoz said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2021

What’s the best pot to show off the pink and white leaves of hoya carnosa?

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2020

“Not interested,” Fondeur said, stroking a hoya leaf.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 15, 1995

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023