succulent

[suhk-yuh-luhnt]

adjective

1. full of juice; juicy.

2. rich in desirable qualities.

3. affording mental nourishment.

4. (of a plant) having fleshy and juicy tissues.

noun

1. a succulent plant, as a sedum or cactus.

succulent

/ ˈsʌkjʊlənt /

adjective

1. abundant in juices; juicy

2. (of plants) having thick fleshy leaves or stems

3. informal,  stimulating interest, desire, etc

noun

1. a plant that is able to exist in arid or salty conditions by using water stored in its fleshy tissues

succulent

1. Any of various plants having fleshy leaves or stems that store water. Cacti and the jade plant are succulents. Succulents are usually adapted to drier environments and display other characteristics that reduce water loss, such as waxy coatings on leaves and stems, fewer stomata than occur on other plants, and stout, rounded stems that minimize surface area.

Other Word Forms

• succulence noun
• succulency noun
• succulently adverb
• unsucculent adjective
• unsucculently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of succulent¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin sūculentus, equivalent to Latin sūc ( us ), succus juice + -ulentus -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of succulent¹

C17: from Latin succulentus, from sūcus juice

Example Sentences

Rows of flowers and succulents sat beside a back wall, ready to be planted by a team of workers from Pierre Landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

She looked out over the potted succulents and winding stone pathways they had spent so many weekends tending together.

From Los Angeles Times

Environmentalists say these protections are needed because the iconic succulent is rapidly losing habitat.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially they thought they would focus on native succulents and cactus for their yard until they began noticing white sage, buckwheats and sagebrush when they went running in the Laguna Hills and Santa Ana Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

The spiky succulents are revered for their cultural import, having inspired both a namesake national park and a U2 album.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• luscious 
• moist 
• tasty 
• yummy