aloe

American  

[al-oh] / ˈæl oʊ /

noun

plural

aloes

1. any chiefly African shrub belonging to the genus Aloe, of the lily family, certain species of which yield a fiber.

2. aloe vera.

3. century plant.

4. (used with a singular verb) aloes, agalloch.

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aloe British  

/ ˌæləʊˈɛtɪk, ˈæləʊ /

noun

1. any plant of the liliaceous genus Aloe, chiefly native to southern Africa, with fleshy spiny-toothed leaves and red or yellow flowers

2. another name for century plant

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Other Word Forms

• aloetic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aloe

First recorded before 950; Middle English alōe, alow, alewen; Old English al(u)we, alewe (compare Old Saxon, Old High German āloê ), from Latin aloē, from Greek alóē, perhaps from South Asia via Hebrew

Explanation

Aloe is a succulent, flowering plant that's native to Africa. You can grow aloe as a houseplant on a windowsill, and it can soothe your skin when you are suffering from a sunburn. The aloe plant is well-known because one variety, aloe vera, is commonly grown for the soothing qualities of its gel-like insides, which are used in lotions and cosmetics. You can use aloe to treat a sunburn, from a plant or a bottle purchased at a pharmacy or health food store. The Old English root is alewe, "fragrant resin of an East Indian tree."

Example Sentences

Although plant metabolite databases are far less complete than those for animals, the researchers identified compounds linked to regional plants such as aloe and asparagus.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2026

But there is one little thing: Okra, like marshmallow root and aloe vera, is mucilaginous, meaning it can get slimy when sliced and cooked.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2025

One suggested applying milk of magnesia to the face, followed by aloe and sunscreen.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2023

Once she began planting in earnest in 2016, she made the front yard into an aloe farm while using the backyard as her agriculture lab, experimenting with potatoes, collards, sunflowers and peppers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2023

Candles float in three small pools: the first is full of rose petals, the second is thick with an infusion of aloe, and the last one simmers with salt, sulfur, and steam.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton