Spanish moss

noun

: an epiphytic plant (Tillandsia usneoides) of the pineapple family forming pendent tufts of grayish-green filaments on trees from the southern U.S. to Argentina

Illustration of Spanish moss

Examples of Spanish moss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Railroad tracks took the place of the river; ranches, live oaks and Spanish moss replaced California’s mountains and open scrubland. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 July 2026

What better way to hide secrets, watch ghosts, or paint horror with a romantic brush than in Spanish moss and isolated people? — Lo Patrick, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

That was the background; in the foreground were about a dozen ancient live-oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. — Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Amelia Island, Florida An unspoiled wisp of a barrier island, Amelia Island has miles of pristine beaches with sand dunes and unfettered access to the Atlantic Ocean, plus a forest of giant oaks draped in Spanish moss just for good measure. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Spanish moss

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• menelaus
• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas

Kids Definition

Spanish moss

noun

: a plant related to the pineapple that forms hanging tufts of grayish green threadlike strands on trees from the southern U.S. to Argentina