ivy

¹

[ ahy-vee ]

noun

, plural i·vies.

1. Also called English ivy. a climbing vine, Hedera helix, having smooth, shiny, evergreen leaves, small, yellowish flowers, and black berries, grown as an ornamental.
2. any of various other climbing or trailing plants.

adjective

1. (often initial capital letter) Ivy League ( def 2 ).
2. New England. mountain laurel.

Ivy

²

[ ahy-vee ]

noun

1. a female given name.

ivy

/ ˈaɪvɪ /

noun

1. any woody climbing or trailing araliaceous plant of the Old World genus Hedera, esp H. helix, having lobed evergreen leaves and black berry-like fruits
2. any of various other climbing or creeping plants, such as Boston ivy, poison ivy, and ground ivy

Derived Forms

• ˈivy-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• ivy·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ivy¹

before 900; Middle English ivi; Old English ifig; akin to German Efeu

Word History and Origins

Origin of ivy¹

Old English īfig; related to Old High German ebah, perhaps to Greek iphuon a plant

Example Sentences

Former St. John Bosco quarterback Caleb Sanchez, a freshman at Columbia, was named the Ivy League rookie of the week after passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start.

From Los Angeles Times

“The track record of success is not whether you went to an Ivy League institution,” Gluesenkamp Perez said, but rather “what that person has done with their life, how they’ve contributed to their community, beyond building a resume that’s traditionally credentialed.”

From Los Angeles Times

It gave Harvard a 31-28 win over Penn and a share of the Ivy League title.

From Los Angeles Times

His views notwithstanding: Having a couple of Ivy League degrees and a lengthy stint of National Guard service isn’t nothing.

From Slate

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ivy League graduate Hegseth has in recent years worked as a conservative commentator.

From BBC