poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə 

 nonstandard  pȯint-,

nonstandard

-ˈse-tə 

: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts

especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

Illustration of poinsettia

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Brown and O’Neill attempt to reimagine job loss—to make poinsettias out of pink slips—their positivity can seem to border on delusion. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Enjoy a cup of coffee and connect with friends in the patio where the SeaWeeders Garden Club will be selling exquisite Christmas Cactus and taking orders for beautiful poinsettias for your holiday enjoyment. —Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025

Complete pruning of poinsettias, bougainvillea and wisteria by month’s end. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025

Much like a poinsettia, the actual flower is insignificant, but the surrounding 3 to 6 colorful bracts are spectacular. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə  -ˈset-ə 

: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers