monstera

American

[mon-ster-uh] / ˈmɒn stər ə /

noun

any of various tropical American climbing plants belonging to the genus Monstera, of the arum family, especially M. deliciosa, having split or perforated leaves and often grown as a houseplant.

monstera British

/ mɒnˈstɪərə /

noun

any plant of the tropical climbing genus Monstera, some species of which are grown as greenhouse or pot plants for their unusual leathery perforated leaves: family Araceae. M. deliciosa is the Swiss cheese plant

"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

Etymology

Origin of monstera

< New Latin (1763), apparently irregular derivative of Latin mōnstrum monster; see -a ²

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.

At the height of summer some plants, like a monstera, can be watered two or three times a week.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

A husky lies on the clean wood floor, a thriving monstera plant is perched in the corner, and snow falls lightly against the large panel windows.

From Slate • Sep. 2, 2023

From bushy eucalyptus fronds to bold and beautiful monstera leaves, greenery is more than just filler.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2023

Juan points to his leg, inked with a mini monstera.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2022

On eBay this month, a five-leaf Thai constellation plant sold for $600 and a five-leaf cutting of a monstera albo went for $500.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023