jasmine

noun

jas·​mine ˈjaz-mən 

variants or less commonly jessamine

ˈje-smən, 

ˈje-sə-mən 

1

a

: any of numerous often climbing shrubs (genus Jasminum) of the olive family that usually have extremely fragrant flowers

especially : a tall-climbing semievergreen Asian shrub (J. officinale) with fragrant white flowers from which oil is extracted for use in perfumes

b

: any of numerous plants having sweet-scented flowers

especially : yellow jessamine

2

: a light yellow

Illustration of jasmine

• jasmine 1a

Examples of jasmine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This small village on the Côte d’Azur, in France, is scented with fields of jasmine, rose, and lavender. —Kelley Manley, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

Use a well-draining pot to ensure good drainage, and give jasmine full sun to intensify its aroma. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

Star jasmine can trail as a ground cover or scramble up a chain link fence. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

And where nearly 2,000 tons of jasmine were once harvested each year, now there are fewer than 15 – grown mostly by one family. —Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 3 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French jasmin, from Arabic yāsamīn, from Persian

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing jasmine

• jasmine rice

Rhymes for jasmine

• plasmin
• yasmin
• ceruloplasmin

Kids Definition

jasmine

noun

jas·​mine ˈjaz-mən 

variants or jessamine

ˈjes-(ə-)mən

: any of numerous often climbing shrubs that are related to the olive and have extremely fragrant flowers

also : any of various plants noted for sweet-scented flowers