hibiscus

noun

hi·​bis·​cus hī-ˈbi-skəs 

hə-

: any of a large genus (Hibiscus) of herbs, shrubs, or small trees of the mallow family with large showy flowers and usually dentate leaves

Did you know?

There are about 250 species of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants in the genus Hibiscus, which belongs to the mallow family. They are native to warm temperate and tropical regions. Several are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flowers. The tropical Chinese or Hawaiian hibiscus, which is also called China rose, has large, somewhat bell-shaped reddish blossoms. The East African hibiscus, a drooping shrub, is often grown in hanging baskets indoors.

Examples of hibiscus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here's how to choose and grow hibiscus flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

Food From Across Africa: Recipes to Share Written by a trio of Londoners with family and connections across West and East Africa, Food From Across Africa is a joyful introduction to African dishes ranging from jollof rice to hibiscus tea, groundnut stew to tea bread. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 7 June 2025

To wash it all down, Adrian Lindsay of Missy Lane’s Assembly Room in Durham mixed up the spirit-free cocktail A Mockery, which is infused with hibiscus tea, cherry juice, and sage. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 June 2025

Orange Hibiscus 12-pack: $25.98 Unwell Hydration’s orange hibiscus flavor gets its color from vegetable extracts and its flavor from natural orange and hibiscus extracts. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, marshmallow

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hibiscus

• meniscus
• discus
• viscous
• viscus

Kids Definition

hibiscus

noun

hi·​bis·​cus hī-ˈbis-kəs 

hə-

plural hibiscuses

: any of a large genus of herbs, shrubs, or small trees related to the mallow and having toothed leaves and large showy flowers