ivy

¹ American  

[ahy-vee] / ˈaɪ vi /

noun

plural

ivies

1. Also called English ivy.  a climbing vine, Hedera helix, having smooth, shiny, evergreen leaves, small, yellowish flowers, and black berries, grown as an ornamental.

2. any of various other climbing or trailing plants.

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adjective

1. (often initial capital letter) Ivy League.

2. New England. mountain laurel.

Ivy ² American  

[ahy-vee] / ˈaɪ vi /

noun

1. a female given name.

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ivy British  

/ ˈaɪvɪ /

noun

1. any woody climbing or trailing araliaceous plant of the Old World genus Hedera, esp H. helix, having lobed evergreen leaves and black berry-like fruits

2. any of various other climbing or creeping plants, such as Boston ivy, poison ivy, and ground ivy

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Other Word Forms

• ivy-like adjective
• ivylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of ivy

before 900; Middle English ivi; Old English ifig; akin to German Efeu

Explanation

Ivy is a plant that climbs fences and trellises, or creeps along the ground as it grows. Most ivy has dark, shiny leaves with five points. There are many types of ivy, from English ivy (which you can also grow indoors), to the true ivy's close relative, poison ivy, which is famously irritating, causing a terrible, itchy rash. Ivies are evergreen, which means they keep their green leaves in the winter. The so-called "Ivy League" is a group of eight selective colleges (including Harvard and Princeton), given this name for the ivy that creeps up many of the campuses' old brick buildings.

Example Sentences

Five easy-to-grow plants recommended by RHS include the Madagascar dragon tree, English ivy, rubber plant, Boston fern and Sansevieria trifasciata.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Despite the school’s aspirational name, students found no ivy or dreaming spires.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

In addition, there’s a sun-filled lounge with a wooden bar covered in ivy, which also covers the ceiling and walls.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025

Most prominent in the decoration is sinuous ivy, which curls around the entire vessel.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

Hollow Hall is a stone manor with a tall, crooked tower, the whole thing half-covered in vines and ivy.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black