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

And while many traditional oils come with a very potent scent, this dry scalp treatment smells softly of Indian jasmine, so there’s no fear of being roasted by others for it (a personal childhood trauma). —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026

Monronvia plant nursery is also seeing an increase in interest in nostalgic plants such as roses, jasmine, and lavender that have a timeless, multi-sensory appeal. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026

Even the signature scent wafting through the building, a heady blend of hinoki wood, jasmine, and bergamot, feels decidedly on-brand. —Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

The beautiful smell of Marriott’s signature scent is both inspiring and mysterious, blended with top notes of cassis, sparkling Fuji apple, grapefruit, cyclamen, paired with the subtle notes of pink jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, mountain sage, white cedar, and pale musk. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French jasmin, from Arabic yāsamīn, from Persian

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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