forsythia

noun

for·​syth·​ia fər-ˈsi-thē-ə 

chiefly British -ˈsī-

plural forsythias also forsythia

: any of a genus (Forsythia) of ornamental shrubs of the olive family with opposite leaves and yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing before the leaves in early spring

Illustration of forsythia

Examples of forsythia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, there are a multitude of other blooming shrubs that could take its place, like azaleas, lantanas, hydrangeas, camellias, rhododendrons, forsythias, gardenias, viburnums, butterfly bushes, flowering quinces, and loropetalums. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 16 May 2026

For the Mom who likes to garden, give her a shrub like forsythia. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026

Apply preemergent herbicide when yellow forsythia blossoms start dropping or when redbud trees begin to flower. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2026

Daffodils, crocus and forsythia are blooming, and there are buds on many trees. —Tracy Trobridge, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from William Forsyth †1804 British botanist

First Known Use

circa 1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forsythia

• lithia

Kids Definition

forsythia

noun

for·​syth·​ia fər-ˈsith-ē-ə 

plural forsythias also forsythia

: any of a genus of shrubs related to the olive and having yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing before the leaves in early spring