aloe

noun

al·​oe ˈa-(ˌ)lō 

1

aloes plural : agarwood

2

a

: any of a large genus (Aloe of the family Asphodelaceae) of succulent chiefly southern African plants with basal leaves and spicate flowers

b

: the dried juice of the leaves of various aloes used especially formerly as a purgative

—usually used in plural but singular in construction

c

: aloe vera

Examples of aloe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The four-ounce formula is made with organic aloe and includes ingredients such as tremella mushroom extract, hyaluronic acid, quinoa seed extract, hemp seed extract, flaxseed and green tea. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026

Botanists from across California and Arizona, plus Huntington specialists and a naturalist based in Chile, will present sessions on a variety of succulents, including Dudleya, boojum (Fouquieria columnaris) and Arabian aloe (Aloe rubroviolacea). — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Hui Lau Shan also serves non-mango desserts, including a black sesame porridge, durian pancakes, taro sago chewy balls and an aloe jelly watermelon juice. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The biggest safety concern with aloe vera is a group of natural compounds called anthraquinones, especially aloin and aloe-emodin. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin, dried juice of aloe leaves, from Greek aloē

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aloe

• aloe vera

Rhymes for aloe

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

aloe

noun

al·​oe ˈal-ō 

1

: any of a large genus of chiefly southern African plants related to lilies and having spikes of often showy flowers

2

: the dried bitter juice of the leaves of an aloe used especially formerly as a strong laxative and tonic

—usually used in plural

3

: aloe vera

Medical Definition

aloe

noun

al·​oe ˈal-(ˌ)ō 

1

capitalized : a large genus (family Asphodelaceae) of succulent chiefly southern African plants with basal leaves and spicate flowers

2

: a plant of the genus Aloe

3

: the dried juice of the leaves of various aloes used especially formerly as a purgative and tonic

—usually used in plural but singular in construction

4

: aloe vera sense 2