ivy

1 of 2

noun

ˈī-vē 

plural ivies

1

: a widely cultivated ornamental climbing or prostrate or sometimes shrubby chiefly Eurasian vine (Hedera helix) of the ginseng family with evergreen leaves, small yellowish flowers, and black berries

2

: any of several climbing plants (such as Virginia creeper) resembling ivy

especially : poison ivy

3

often capitalized : an Ivy League college

Illustration of ivy

• ivy 1

ivy

2 of 2

adjective

1

: academic

2

: ivy league

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Annual geraniums come in different types: zonal, ivy, and regal. —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2022

Time turns back in the Royal Dining Room, where the table is set with a silver service given to Queen Elizabeth II's grandparents King George V and Queen Mary for their Silver Jubilee in 1935, among ivy and candelabra. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2022

Poison ivy, on the other hand, doesn’t activate IgE or an antibody response. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2022

It’s the Lenox Christmas pattern with the holly and the ivy on it. —Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2022

In a leafy Minneapolis neighborhood under a thick cloak of ivy stands a modest concrete building. —Caity Weaver, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2022

Wearing a navy three-piece Ralph Lauren suit, Peter then escorted his wife up the stairs of the South Portico—swathed with ivy and white roses and hydrangea—for a luncheon in the State Dining Room. —Chloe Malle, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2022

Wrapped in ivy and glass, the main residence spans a single story with four bedrooms and six bathrooms in 9,200 square feet. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2022

How cute is this elf climbing up the ivy to rescue his princess? —Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 28 Oct. 2022

Adjective

The actress, who's known for being something of an amateur equestrian, appears to be bending over to give her horse Ivy water through a tiny straw. —Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 21 June 2017

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English īfig; akin to Old High German ebah ivy

Adjective

from the prevalence of ivy-covered buildings on the campuses of older U.S. colleges

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ivy

• ground ivy
• Boston ivy
• English ivy
• poison ivy
• halls of ivy

• ground ivy
• Boston ivy
• English ivy
• poison ivy
• halls of ivy

Kids Definition

ivy

noun

ˈī-vē

plural ivies

1

: a climbing woody vine with glossy evergreen leaves, small yellowish flowers, and black berries that is often grown on the outside of buildings

called also English ivy

2

: any of several climbing plants (as Virginia creeper or poison ivy) resembling ivy