eucalyptus

IPA/ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
IPA/ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/

eucalyptus — noun

  • eucalyptussingular
  • eucalyptiplural

1. a tall tree originally from Australia, with smooth grey bark and long narrow lea

1.nounB1
Definition

a tall tree originally from Australia, with smooth grey bark and long narrow leaves that produce a strong-smelling oil used in medicines, cleaning products, and aromatherapy

Example

The koala climbed a eucalyptus tree and began eating its leaves for breakfast.

eucalyptus tree

Eucalyptus trees grow very tall and can survive long periods without rain.

Common collocations
  • tall eucalyptus
  • eucalyptus tree
  • eucalyptus leaves
  • eucalyptus oil
  • scented eucalyptus
  • eucalyptus forest
Synonyms
  • gum tree

    common informal name in Australia and the UK, referring to the sticky sap many species produce

  • eucalypt

    shorter botanical form, less common in everyday speech

Common Mistakes

The eucalyptus are growing fast.
The eucalyptus trees are growing fast.
Eucalyptus is the genus name for the tree; use 'eucalyptus tree' or 'eucalyptus' as a countable noun referring to the tree itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to the same group of trees from the genus Eucalyptus, native mainly to Australia and nearby islands. 'Eucalyptus' is the standard botanical and everyday name worldwide — it is the term most learners will encounter first in textbooks and product labels. 'Gum tree' is a colloquial name common in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, referring to the sticky gum or resin that many species exude from their bark. It appears frequently in Australian place names (e.g. 'Gumtree Creek') and informal writing, but it can also refer to trees outside the eucalyptus family (such as sweet gum). 'Eucalypt' is a shorter, more technical synonym used in forestry and botany writing. For example, a news report might say 'Koalas rely on eucalypt leaves for food,' but a travel blog is more likely to mention 'walking among giant eucalyptus trees.' For general use, 'eucalyptus tree' is the clearest choice for learners.

eucalyptus ↗gum treeeucalypt ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • eucalyptus tree
  • eucalyptus oil
  • eucalyptus leaves
  • smell of eucalyptus
  • scented with eucalyptus

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The name 'eucalyptus' was coined in the 1700s by a French botanist from Greek roots: 'eu-' meaning 'well' and 'kalyptos' meaning 'covered'. This refers to the operculum — a small cap that covers the flower bud until it opens. The tree was first encountered by European botanists in Australia, and its scientific name was published in 1789.