honeysuckle

noun

hon·​ey·​suck·​le ˈhə-nē-ˌsə-kəl 

: any of a genus (Lonicera of the family Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family) of shrubs with opposite leaves and fragrant tubular flowers rich in nectar

broadly : any of various plants (such as a columbine or azalea) with tubular flowers rich in nectar

Illustration of honeysuckle

Examples of honeysuckle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red buckeye and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) are two of the major native feeder plants for these little guys to follow when the plants bloom progressively from the South to the North when temperatures start to rise. —Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

This native honeysuckle is a much better choice than the sweetly scented but invasive Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026

There's nothing like the sweet smell of honeysuckle in summertime. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026

The Best Time to Clear Honeysuckle The best time to get rid of honeysuckle is in the winter. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English honysoukel clover, alteration of honysouke, from Old English hunisūce, from hunig honey + sūcan to suck

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing honeysuckle

• trumpet honeysuckle

Rhymes for honeysuckle

• buckle
• chicle
• chuckle
• knuckle
• muckle
• suckle
• tical

Kids Definition

honeysuckle

noun

hon·​ey·​suck·​le -ˌsək-əl 

: any of a genus of shrubs having fragrant tube-shaped flowers rich in nectar