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Definition of white forsythia
white forsythia
Plural:white forsythias
white forsythia Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A rare, deciduous shrub native to the Korean peninsula that produces highly fragrant, small white or pale pink flowers along bare stems in early spring before its foliage emerges.
Example
"The botanical garden prominently features a white forsythia that blooms beautifully just as the winter snow begins to melt."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite its common name and visual similarity to true yellow forsythias, the white forsythia belongs to an entirely different botanical genus (Abeliophyllum).
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the English word 'white' (describing its blossoms) and 'forsythia' (due to its resemblance to the common spring-flowering shrub in the Forsythia genus). The plant is native to the Korean peninsula and was first described botanically in 1919.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of White forsythia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/white forsythia