cactus

[ kak-tuhs ]

noun

, plural cac·ti [kak, -tahy], cac·tus·es, cac·tus.

1. any of numerous succulent plants of the family Cactaceae, of warm, arid regions of the New World, having fleshy, leafless, usually spiny stems, and typically having solitary, showy flowers.

cactus

/ kækˈteɪʃəs; ˈkæktəs /

noun

1. any spiny succulent plant of the family Cactaceae of the arid regions of America. Cactuses have swollen tough stems, leaves reduced to spines or scales, and often large brightly coloured flowers
2. cactus dahlia
   cactus dahlia a double-flowered variety of dahlia

Derived Forms

• cactaceous, adjective

Other Words From

• cactus·like cactoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cactus¹

1600–10; < Latin < Greek káktos cardoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of cactus¹

C17: from Latin: prickly plant, from Greek kaktos cardoon

Example Sentences

Hunger is already driving people to eat raw cactus, wild leaves and locusts, a food source of last resort.

From Time

Southwestern dirt is represented by Behr’s Canyon Dusk, which looks a little like a New Mexico landscape on a hot, dry day, without the cacti interspersed or the mountains on the horizon.

From Washington Blade

There, your brain processes the touch your receptors felt, and determines whether you just tried to pet a cat or a cactus.

From Science News For Students

Canyon Lake, about 45 minutes from Phoenix, is one of the smaller lakes along the Salt River and is a great place to paddle beneath cliffs topped with cactus.

From Outside Online

It might look cute and fun, but spines from this cactus break off easily.

From Outside Online

It all sounds a bit dramatic, but that cactus feels like something special.

From The Daily Beast

Another choice is agave nectar, made from a type of cactus that grows in Mexico (yes, tequila fans, that cactus).

From The Daily Beast

“There is nothing but cattle, cactus, rocks, and steep canyons,” said Bisbee, Ariz., City Council member Ransom Burke.

From The Daily Beast

At one point, the pair burst from the camp and fled, scampering barefoot over rocky, cactus-spotted terrain.

From The Daily Beast

Here cemitas are filled with potatoes, tender cactus, onions, jalapeños, and lots of Oaxacan cheese.

From The Daily Beast

The cactus is very common all over the Island, and miles of it are seen growing in the hedges.

From Project Gutenberg

Half hidden by a growth of cactus and tangled vines, yawned a dark cavernous hole.

From Project Gutenberg

Another kind of cactus has crimson and scarlet blossoms, but no prickly pears.

From Project Gutenberg

Here and there a cactus plant thrust spiny arms into the air.

From Project Gutenberg

We stood mute and motionless behind the cactus, discreetly, or indiscreetly, watching her.

From Project Gutenberg

What Is The Plural Of Cactus?

Plural word for cactus

The plural form of cactus can be either cacti, cactuses, or cactus. Cacti is most commonly used. Like many words derived from Latin, it is pluralized by replacing the -us ending with -i, as in fungus/fungi and nucleus/nuclei. 

However, the plural form cactuses, created by adding the typical -es to the end, is also correct. This alternative plural form is also acceptable for some other Latin-derived or related terms, as in focus/foci/focuses and radius/radii/radiuses.