kudzu

/ ˈkʊdzuː /

noun

1. a hairy leguminous climbing plant, Pueraria thunbergiana, of China and Japan, with trifoliate leaves and purple fragrant flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of kudzu¹

from Japanese kuzu

Example Sentences

Yes, there had always been daytime game shows, but after “American Idol” and “Survivor” became prime-time hits and the Kardashians began their empire building, the reality craze spread like kudzu through broadcast and cable.

From Los Angeles Times

“Almost inevitably, like kudzu in the summer, slavery started spreading in Georgia.”

From Seattle Times

I was drawn to one in particular, a crumbling two-story structure collapsing under the kudzu.

From Salon

“I’m so used to this kudzu sprawl of figurative language,” she said, “and simple can feel like ‘see spot run,’ but there are simple words like prime integers that carry so much meaning when sung.”

From New York Times

And kudzu vines from Japan planted to stabilize soils have spread to dozens of states where they choke out other plants.

From Seattle Times