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

Example Sentences

It was so overrun with ivy that the windowpanes were splintering.

From Literature

In a bid to foil graffiti vandals, Caltrans has installed artificial ivy along U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

The next house down, the one with the boarded-up windows, had overgrown grass and weeds and was covered in ivy.

From Literature

Most kids, by then, are bored with summer and itchy from mosquito bites and poison ivy and nothing to do.

From Literature

She also recommends devil's ivy for a bathroom which will see lots of moisture, and a false caster oil plant for a shady room or hallway.

From BBC