# aloe

/ˈæˌɫoʊ/ (US) · /ˈæləʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aloe
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

a type of plant with thick, pointed leaves that can survive in dry places.

For teachers: any succulent plant belonging to the genus Aloe, typically characterized by a rosette of thick, fleshy, serrated leaves.

- She keeps a small aloe on her windowsill because it is easy to look after.
- The botanical garden features a diverse collection of aloe species, ranging from small ground-dwelling plants to large, tree-like varieties.

Usage: Often used as a countable noun when referring to the individual plant.

### 2. medicinal gel

noun · CEFR B2

the thick liquid from the plant's leaves used to heal skin or in lotions.

For teachers: the mucilaginous gel or bitter latex derived from the leaves of the Aloe vera plant, used in pharmacology and cosmetics.

- Apply some aloe to that sunburn to help the skin cool down.
- The ointment contains a high concentration of pure aloe to soothe inflammation and promote rapid tissue repair.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the substance or extract.

### 3. fragrant resin

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a sweet-smelling wood or resin used in perfumes and incense.

For teachers: the fragrant, resinous wood of the Aquilaria tree, historically used in incense and perfumery.

- The ancient text mentions bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and aloes.
- Scholars noted that the 'aloes' mentioned in the historical manuscript referred to the aromatic heartwood of the agarwood tree rather than the succulent plant.

Usage: Typically appears in the plural form 'aloes' in older literature and religious texts.

## Examples

- I put some aloe on my sunburn to stop the stinging.
- The gardener planted several varieties of aloe in the rock garden because they require very little water.
- While many species of aloe are purely ornamental, the pharmaceutical industry processes vast quantities of the plant to produce topical treatments for minor dermatological irritations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.