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Definition of crepe myrtle
crepe myrtle
Plural:crepe myrtles
crepe myrtle Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of several deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Lagerstroemia, native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia, widely cultivated in warm climates for their vibrant, crinkled flowers and attractive peeling bark.
Example
"The streets of the historic southern town were lined with blooming crepe myrtles in vibrant shades of pink and purple."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently spelled 'crape myrtle', particularly in the southern United States; despite its name, it is not a true myrtle but belongs to an entirely different botanical family.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Crepe myrtle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/crepe myrtle