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Definition of azalea
azalea
/əˈzeɪ.li.ə/
a · za · le · a
Plural:azaleas
azalea Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A deciduous or evergreen flowering shrub of the genus Rhododendron, characterized by its abundant, brightly colored, and often fragrant funnel-shaped flowers that typically bloom in spring.
Example
"The landscaping crew planted a vibrant row of pink and white azaleas along the front walkway of the estate."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for azaleaWord Nuance & Usage
Botanically, all azaleas are classified as rhododendrons, but they are distinguished horticulturally by their typically smaller leaves and single blossoms per stem rather than clusters.
• Rhymes for azalea
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived in the mid-18th century from Modern Latin, ultimately from the Greek word 'azaleos' meaning 'dry', because the shrub was originally believed to thrive best in dry soil conditions.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Azalea. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/azalea