Word
honeysuckle
Phoneticshon·ey·suck·le, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhəniˌsəkəɫ/
UK/hˈʌnɪsˌʌkəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a climbing plant with sweet-smelling yellow, white, or pink flowers shaped like small tubes. You often see it growing over fences and walls in gardens.
n. a climbing shrub of the genus Lonicera bearing fragrant tubular flowers in yellow, white, pink, or red, followed by small berries. Widely grown as an ornamental garden plant.
Examples
“Honeysuckle grows over our garden fence.”
“In June the honeysuckle by the back door fills the evening air with a sweet smell.”
“The old stone wall disappeared beneath tangled honeysuckle, its pale blossoms opening at dusk to release a heavy perfume that drew moths long after the garden had darkened.”
Examples
simple
“Honeysuckle grows over our garden fence.”
contextual
“In June the honeysuckle by the back door fills the evening air with a sweet smell.”
complex
“The old stone wall disappeared beneath tangled honeysuckle, its pale blossoms opening at dusk to release a heavy perfume that drew moths long after the garden had darkened.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “honeysuckle” in context.
Verb
01. grow honeysuckle
“He grows honeysuckle up a wooden trellis in the backyard.”
verb + noun
02. honeysuckle blooms
“Honeysuckle blooms from June until late autumn in mild climates.”
noun + verb
03. honeysuckle climbs
“Honeysuckle climbs rapidly if given support and full sun.”
noun + verb
04. honeysuckle twines
“Honeysuckle twines tightly around fences, posts and neighbouring shrubs.”
noun + verb
05. plant honeysuckle
“They planted honeysuckle beside the porch to scent the entrance.”
verb + noun
06. prune honeysuckle
“Prune honeysuckle lightly after flowering to control its spread.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. climbing honeysuckle
“She planted climbing honeysuckle against the sunny garden wall.”
adj + noun
08. fragrant honeysuckle
“Fragrant honeysuckle spilled over the garden fence in early summer.”
adj + noun
09. japanese honeysuckle
“Japanese honeysuckle is prized for its intensely sweet evening fragrance.”
adj + noun
10. covered in wild honeysuckle
“The abandoned cottage was covered in wild honeysuckle.”
11. honeysuckle in full bloom
“The pergola looks magical with honeysuckle in full bloom.”
12. scent of blooming honeysuckle
“The garden was filled with the scent of blooming honeysuckle.”
Etymology
From Middle English honysokel, honisokel, honysocle, hunisuccle, perhaps an alteration of Middle English honysoke, honysouke (“honeysuckle”) (whence honeysuck), from Old English huniġsūce, huniġsūge (“honeysuckle”); equivalent to honey + suck + -le, or honeysuck + -le.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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