jacaranda

American  

[jak-uh-ran-duh, -ran-dah] / ˌdʒæk əˈræn də, -rænˈdɑ /

noun

1. any of various tropical trees belonging to the genus Jacaranda, of the catalpa family, having showy clusters of usually purplish flowers.

2. any of various related or similar trees.

3. the often fragrant, ornamental wood of any of these trees.

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jacaranda British  

/ ˌdʒækəˈrændə /

noun

1. any bignoniaceous tree of the tropical American genus Jacaranda , having fernlike leaves and pale purple flowers and widely cultivated in temperate areas of Australia

2. the fragrant ornamental wood of any of these trees

3. any of several related or similar trees or their wood

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Etymology

Origin of jacaranda

1745–55; < Portuguese jacarandá < Tupi yacarandá

Example Sentences

Then up, up, and up, past the markets, clothing boutiques, fix-it shops, the swirling schools of motor scooters and all those purple jacaranda trees, starting their seasonal bloom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

When we got home, Sydney ran out the back door, raced through the grass and around the jacaranda tree, hoping for squirrels.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 11, 2025

In cases of more severe scarring, North said, “the jacaranda looks like it will recover.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2025

But this spring, after the January Eaton fire scorched her childhood home and the jacaranda along with it, the scene was too grim to capture.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2025

“Just look at that blue sky! Don’t the jacaranda flowers make a magnificent carpet on the green grass?”

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer