# henna

/ˈhɛnə/ (US) · /hˈɛnɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/henna
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a natural plant that people use to make a dark orange dye. You apply it to your skin or hair to create a temporary pattern or color.

For teachers: a plant of the genus Lawsonia, whose leaves contain a natural dye used for body art and hair coloring.

## Examples

- She applied henna to her hands before the wedding.
- The bride spent several hours applying henna to her arms and feet to create intricate patterns for the ceremony.
- While synthetic dyes offer convenience, many traditionalists prefer henna for its natural pigmentation and the temporary nature of the stain, which fades over several weeks.

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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.