Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

moonflower

American  
[moon-flou-er] / ˈmunˌflaʊ ər /

noun

  1. a plant, Ipomoea alba, of the morning glory family, having fragrant white flowers that bloom at night.


moonflower British  
/ ˈmuːnˌflaʊə /

noun

  1. any of several night-blooming convolvulaceous plants, esp the white-flowered Calonyction (or Ipomoea ) aculeatum

  2. Also called: angels' tears.  a Mexican solanaceous plant, Datura suaveolens, planted in the tropics for its white night-blooming flowers

"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 moonflower

First recorded in 1780–90; moon + flower

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.

These include a moonflower, which attracted global interest in February.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2021

A few lesser-known white flowers that Balfe likes are nicotiana, mandevilla, cosmos and moonflower, a plant that only blooms at night.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2021

The scientists estimate that the Hawaiian moonflower separated from its relatives — and made its journey across the Pacific — over a million years ago.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2018

He planted vines like moonflower and grapes, roses and clematis.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2012

She was sitting on the edge of a sandy bank beside a big moonflower plant.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "moonflower" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com