gardenia

American  

[gahr-dee-nyuh, -nee-uh] / gɑrˈdi nyə, -ni ə /

noun

1. any evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the genus Gardenia, of the madder family, native to the warmer parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, cultivated for its usually large, fragrant white flowers.

2. the flower of any of these plants.

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gardenia British  

/ ɡɑːˈdiːnɪə /

noun

1. any evergreen shrub or tree of the Old World tropical rubiaceous genus Gardenia, cultivated for their large fragrant waxlike typically white flowers

2. the flower of any of these shrubs

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Etymology

Origin of gardenia

< New Latin (1760), after Alexander Garden (1730–91), American physician; -ia

Example Sentences

The orchid and blood orange soy candle from Glasshouse Fragrances includes hints of rose, gardenia and florals.

From Los Angeles Times

Simply named “Whitney,” the scent features notes of pear and citrus, balanced by gardenia, ylang-ylang and jasmine.

From Seattle Times

“I did not let go of her hand; she wore jungle gardenia perfume which I could smell later on,” he continued.

From New York Times

My grandmother talked about her roses, her nandina, her gardenia, her voice thick southern prose.

From New York Times

“I did not become famous,” Ms. Babitz wrote in “Slow Days, Fast Company,” “but I got near enough to smell the stench of success. It smelt like cloth and rancid gardenias.”

From Washington Post