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scrub oak

American  

noun

  1. any of several oaks, as Quercus ilicifolia and Q. prinoides, characterized by a scrubby manner of growth, usually found in dry, rocky soil.


Etymology

Origin of scrub oak

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

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.

See Examples For:

Vibrant yucca, scrub oak and sage stood alongside dried-out chaparral.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 28, 2025

Nate Goldberg, a lead guide with the outfitter said visitors see “a lot of underbrush, red and yellow aspen leaves, scrub oak, berries and willows which turn a bright yellow.”

From New York Times Sep. 18, 2019

With wild scrub oak and big, red sandstone formations, it looks like something from a John Wayne western.

From National Geographic Jun. 29, 2018

Spent an hour getting scratched up by scrub oak and thorns looking for David’s drone that he crashed.

From Slate Jan. 3, 2018

He sat under a scrub oak and picked up acorns from the ground around him.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

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