ivy

[ ahy-vee ]

/ ˈaɪ vi /

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noun, plural i·vies.

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

any of various other climbing or trailing plants.

adjective

(often initial capital letter) Ivy League (def. 2).

New England. mountain laurel.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ivy

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ivy

i·vy·like, adjective

Words nearby ivy

ivorytype, ivory-white, ivorywood, IVR, -ivus, ivy, ivy geranium, Ivy League, ivy vine, i.w., Iwaki

Other definitions for ivy (2 of 2)

Ivy

[ ahy-vee ]

/ ˈaɪ vi /

noun

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ivy in a sentence

The species that the algorithm had the most trouble identifying were invasive plants like ivies, which usually hug on to houses or walls.
Your Flickr photos could help scientists keep tabs on wildlife|Charlotte Hu|August 23, 2021|Popular-Science
We were talking about bringing a similar thing over, because there’s even more people taking photos of a house or cat or ivy.
Your Flickr photos could help scientists keep tabs on wildlife|Charlotte Hu|August 23, 2021|Popular-Science
Less than two days later, poison ivy’s evil active ingredient, urushiol, had done its rash-causing thing on both my legs, part of my left arm, and one of my eyeballs.
My 10 Best Post-Adventure Showers|aheard|July 26, 2021|Outside Online
She differentiated each tree and fencepost by the pattern of the English ivy wrapped upon it.
Five Scientists on the Heroes Who Changed Their Lives - Issue 93: Forerunners|Alan Lightman, Hope Jahren, Robert Sapolsky,|December 2, 2020|Nautilus

The set comes with 24 pieces of ivy, each about 78 inches long.
The best faux plants to bring a little green to your home or office|PopSci Commerce Team|October 5, 2020|Popular-Science
His most recommended plant was tree ivy—its juices sprayed up the nostrils.
History's Craziest Hangover Cures|Justin Jones|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From the religious (‘The Holly and the Ivy’) to the secular (‘The Chipmunk Song’), my top 20.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
White, upper-middle-class, Ivy-League educated white men, however Great they are, are falling out of power.
A Few Great Men Too Many: Aaron Sorkin Doesn’t Think You Can Handle the Truth|Arthur Chu|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy, the self-induced, self-absorbed Greek tragedy of Andrew Lohse.
An Ivy League Frat Boy’s Shallow Repentance|Stefan Beck|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ironically enough this madrassa is run mostly by Ivy League-educated Jews.
How Aasif Mandvi Became Jon Stewart’s Favorite Jihadi|Dean Obeidallah|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The villa and its terrace were built of white stone, but a large portion of the walls was covered with ivy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Now under the ivy-laden branches of a tall old tree an owl startles them with its shriek.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
It has a huge ivy-covered tower and its interior gives every evidence of the age-lasting solidity of the English churches.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
Around us rose the broken, straggling walls, bare and bleak, without a shred of ivy or wall-flower to hide their grim nakedness.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
The church, half covered by ivy and standing against a background of fine trees, presents a beautiful picture.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy

British Dictionary definitions for ivy

ivy

/ (ˈaɪvɪ) /

noun plural ivies

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

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

Derived forms of ivy

ivy-like, adjective

Word Origin for ivy

Old English īfig; related to Old High German ebah, perhaps to Greek iphuon a 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