Search Dictionary
Definition of hedychium
hedychium
/hɛˈdɪk.i.əm/
he · dych · i · um
Plural:hedychiums
hedychium Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any flowering plant of the genus Hedychium in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), native to tropical and subtropical Asia, characterized by stout rhizomes, tall leafy stems, and showy, highly fragrant clusters of flowers; commonly known as ginger lily.
Example
"The gardener planted several hedychiums near the patio so their intoxicating evening fragrance could be enjoyed throughout the late summer."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hedychium• Rhymes for hedychium
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the New Latin genus name Hedychium, which is rooted in Ancient Greek 'hēdys' (sweet) and 'chiōn' (snow), referring to the fragrant, snow-white flowers of the type species, Hedychium coronarium.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hedychium. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hedychium