ivy

noun

\ ˈī-vē

plural ivies

Definition of ivy

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

ivy

adjective

Definition of ivy (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : academic

2 : ivy league

Examples of ivy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The wall that’s now covered by a consistent, stationary background of plants, loosely resembling the ivy at Wrigley Field in Chicago, was initially painted with semi-gloss paint that proved to be too reflective. — Dave Campbell, The Seattle Times, "Spruced up: Twins try juniper plants for CF backdrop," 25 Mar. 2019 Eugenie's family name, of course—as well as ivy, representing the couple’s home of Ivy Cottage. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Princess Eugenie's Wedding Dress Is Getting the Meghan Markle Treatment," 8 Feb. 2019 Janis Janis is a quaint, laid-back cafe with ivy hanging from the ceiling, located just across the street from the Timeout Market. — Cara Sanders, Vogue, "An Insider’s Guide to Lisbon from the Duo Behind the City’s Coolest Boutique Hotel," 8 Sep. 2018 Image This atelier overlooks a garden where the couple hosts events: Here, ivy grows on the surrounding buildings, creeping over the windows and wrapping itself around clotheslines pinned with a rainbow of bright undergarments. — Chiara Barzini, New York Times, "The Secret Atelier Behind a Roman Boutique," 16 May 2018 Vining plants like ivies and some ferns, which don’t feature a woody stalk, can be wound up a support and then trained in a round wire plant armature, available at any craft store. — Cynthia Kling, WSJ, "Laid-Back Topiary for Your Winter Windowsill," 12 Oct. 2018 Arranged in a teardrop shape, the arrangement included lily of the valley, stephanotis pips, baby blue thistles, white spray roses and trailing ivy. — Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Eugenie's Wedding Flowers are a Celebration of Fall," 12 Oct. 2018 The fabric of Eugenie's dress included hidden symbols, including ivy. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie's Bridal Bouquet Included a Sweet Tribute to Her Kensington Palace Home, Ivy Cottage," 12 Oct. 2018 How many times have online photos of ivy with brown edges led to the kind of mass shaming that finds its targets watering their plants with tears? — Joe Queenan, WSJ, "The Dark Secrets of America’s Millennial Plant Lovers," 26 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: 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, "We Have so Many Questions About This Photo of Selma Blair Feeding Her Horse a Juice Box," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ivy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.