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Definition of southern magnolia
southern magnolia
Plural:southern magnolias
southern magnolia Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
American A large, striking evergreen tree native to the southeastern United States, characterized by its thick, glossy, dark green leaves and massive, intensely fragrant white flowers.
Example
"The historic estate was approached by a long, sweeping driveway lined with magnificent Southern magnolias."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word 'southern' refers to its native habitat in the southeastern United States, while 'magnolia' was coined by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in honor of the prominent 17th-century French botanist Pierre Magnol.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Southern magnolia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/southern magnolia