mock orange

Save This Word!

noun

Also called syringa. any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Philadelphus, of the saxifrage family, especially P. coronarius, a widely cultivated species having fragrant white flowers.

any of various other shrubs or trees having flowers or fruit resembling those of the orange, as the laurel cherry.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mock orange

First recorded in 1725–35

Words nearby mock orange

mock-heroic, mocking, mockingbird, mock moon, mockney, mock orange, mock pendulum, mock pennyroyal, mock sun, mocktail, mock turtle soup

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

How to use mock orange in a sentence

She jumps on his back, mock-choking him and covering his eyes.
Sia and Shia LaBeouf’s Pedophilia Nontroversy Over ‘Elastic Heart’|Marlow Stern|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Satirists are reliant ultimately on the very establishment they mock.
Harry Shearer on The Dangerous Business of Satire|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A sad-faced orange Star of David flashed across the iPhone screen as we swiped left on “James” (not his real name).
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It took me 1,015 strokes to see this shade of green in a world of orange, and my jaw nearly dropped.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Suddenly, light flooded the room, and I found myself lying on a filthy orange sofa across the room from where my rape occurred.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For others life is but a foolish leisure with mock activities and mimic avocations to mask its uselessness.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Some one had gathered orange and lemon branches, and with these fashioned graceful festoons between.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The long line of little gray, weather-beaten houses nestled peacefully among the orange trees.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
An illumination broke over his whole face when he saw her and joined her under the orange tree.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Thus shall we see the destinies of this country guided under the orange and red flag.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for mock orange

mock orange

noun

Also called: syringa any shrub of the genus Philadelphus, esp P. coronarius, with white fragrant flowers that resemble those of the orange: family Philadelphaceae

any other shrub or tree that resembles the orange tree

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