poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə 

 nonstandard  pȯint-,

nonstandard

-ˈse-tə 

: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts

especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

Illustration of poinsettia

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Remove 4 to 6 inches of new growth from poinsettias to encourage compact growth. 51. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025

Much like a poinsettia, the actual flower is insignificant, but the surrounding 3 to 6 colorful bracts are spectacular. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 May 2025

To get this all-white look, think all things winter, like flocked Christmas trees, icy ornaments, mercury glass decor, and milky white poinsettias. —Miles Walls, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

The poinsettia is not simply a plant associated with Christmas. —Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə  -ˈset-ə 

: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers