hibiscus

American  

[hahy-bis-kuhs, hi-] / haɪˈbɪs kəs, hɪ- /

noun

plural

hibiscuses

1. Also called China rose.  a woody plant, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the mallow family, having large, showy flowers: the state flower of Hawaii.

2. any of numerous other plants, shrubs, or trees of the genus Hibiscus, characterized by lobate or dentate leaves and usually profusely blooming flowers.

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hibiscus British  

/ haɪˈbɪskəs /

noun

1. any plant of the chiefly tropical and subtropical malvaceous genus Hibiscus, esp H. rosa-sinensis, cultivated for its large brightly coloured flowers

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Etymology

Origin of hibiscus

1700–10; < New Latin, Latin < Greek hibískos mallow

Example Sentences

Depending on your mood, you might continue with Royal Red shrimp served raw with dots of fermented Scotch bonnet pepper and a dusting of spiced red hibiscus flower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

It’s meticulously organized perfection: Its various neighborhoods, gated communities, parks, and street are pristine and feature shallow lagoons and golf courses, palm trees and hibiscus, blue skies and backyard swimming pools.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

Amid brightly colored stands selling spices, candies and imitation Labubus in all shades, the mono-monikered actor Tonatiuh sips on a hibiscus agua fresca at El Mercadito in Boyle Heights.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025

Lori Feezor, of Preservation Point, brings us Cucuzza squash, micro tomatoes and different types of hibiscus.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

I drew pictures of butterflies and flowers, trees on grassy hills, hummingbirds kissing hibiscus blossoms, all the things that didn’t exist in El Mangle.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago