myrtle

noun

myr·​tle ˈmər-tᵊl 

often attributive

1

a

: a common evergreen bushy shrub (Myrtus communis of the family Myrtaceae, the myrtle family) of southern Europe with oval to lance-shaped shiny leaves, fragrant white or rosy flowers, and black berries

b

: any of the chiefly tropical shrubs or trees comprising the myrtle family

2

a

: periwinkle entry 1 sense 1a

b

: california laurel

Illustration of myrtle

• myrtle 1a

Examples of myrtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The long, seemingly suboptimal route taken by our Alaskan myrtle warblers is actually mirrored by some other songbird species tracked from northwestern North America, including blackpoll warblers and Swainson’s thrushes. — Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Elizabeth chose to break royal tradition and wear a crown of myrtle for her big day instead of a tiara. — Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

The botanical selection includes olive, myrtle, helichrysum, wild fennel, thyme and lemon peel, alongside juniper. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Besides lily of the valley, Sperling’s bouquet also had the traditional myrtle, alongside white and cream sweet peas, astilbe, and jasmine. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mirtille, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin myrtillus, from Latin myrtus, from Greek myrtos

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing myrtle

• crape myrtle
• crepe myrtle
• crêpe myrtle
• sand myrtle
• wax myrtle

Rhymes for myrtle

• fertile
• hurtle
• kirtle
• turtle
• infertile

Kids Definition

myrtle

noun

myr·​tle ˈmərt-ᵊl 

1

: a common evergreen shrub of southern Europe with leaves, fragrant white or rosy flowers, and black berries

2

a

: any of the family of chiefly tropical shrubs or trees (as eucalyptus or guava) to which the common myrtle belongs

b

: periwinkle entry 1