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

Craft cocktails and mocktails are from beverage director Lisa Brown, using ingredients with relevance to Africa and the Caribbean, like a Birds of Paradise cocktail that infuses ginger and hibiscus with East African honey wine. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

And while the silky set comes in an array of bold patterns and bright colors, the Ula Mint print is a geometrical design inspired by coastal hibiscus and Hawaiian island flora. —Morgan Evans, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Mix your French manicure with dainty white hibiscuses. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 24 May 2026

The new iteration of the tiny club has a jungle-meets-the-shires feel with palm trees, vines and dangling wisteria and serves electric bright cocktails like frozen hibiscus margaritas. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, marshmallow

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hibiscus

• meniscus
• discus
• viscous

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