mistletoe
Americannoun
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a European plant, Viscum album, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.
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any of several other related, similar plants, as Phoradendron serotinum, of the U.S.: the state flower of Oklahoma.
noun
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a Eurasian evergreen shrub, Viscum album, with leathery leaves, yellowish flowers, and waxy white berries: grows as a partial parasite on various trees: used as a Christmas decoration: family Viscaceae
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any of several similar and related American plants in the families Loranthaceae or Viscaceae , esp Phoradendron flavescens
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an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis cassytha, that grows in tropical America
Etymology
Origin of mistletoe
before 1000; Middle English mistelto, apparently back formation from Old English misteltān ( mistel mistletoe, basil + tān twig), the -n being taken as plural ending; cognate with Old Norse mistilteinn
Vocabulary lists containing mistletoe
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, it's not the first time that Kylie's been in the running for the festive top spot: In 1988, Especially For You was a close runner-up to Cliff Richard's Mistletoe and Wine.
From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025
In "Mistletoe," the 17-year-old pop star sings, “It’s the most beautiful time of year. Lights fill the street spreading so much cheer.”
From Salon • Dec. 21, 2024
Though “Christmas at Mistletoe Farm” follows an absolutely predictable arc, as Netflix holiday movies are apparently required by law to do, it’s nonetheless rather lovable as it has a sense of humor about itself.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2022
Mistletoe in Montana Melissa Joan Hart stars in this holiday romance as the owner of Paradise Ranch, where city slickers go on vacation to play cowboys and cowgirls.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2021
Loki tipped an arrow with a piece of Mistletoe, against which Balder was not proof, and gave it to Balder's brother.
From The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live In by Lubbock, John, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
