aloe

noun

al·​oe ˈa-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce aloe (audio)
1
aloes plural : agarwood
2
a
: any of a large genus (Aloe) of succulent chiefly southern African plants of the lily family with basal leaves and spicate flowers
b
: the dried juice of the leaves of various aloes used especially formerly as a purgative
—usually used in plural but singular in construction
c
: aloe vera

Examples of aloe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like shea butter, aloe has soothing properties that may help calm flaky, dry or irritated scalps. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026 Giant agaves, lomandra, aeoniums, aloes, blue grasses and sages covered the slope from the house to the pool. — Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026 Agaves, yuccas, aloes, and pyracanthas are also uncomfortable for snakes. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 Shea butter, glycerin, aloe, and vitamin E serve up hydration, and synthetic beeswax means the suppleness sticks around. — Rachel Nussbaum, InStyle, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aloe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin, dried juice of aloe leaves, from Greek aloē

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aloe was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing aloe

Rhymes for aloe

See All Rhymes for aloe

Browse Nearby Words

alodium
aloe
aloe hemp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aloe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aloe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

aloe

noun
al·​oe ˈal-ō How to pronounce aloe (audio)
1
: any of a large genus of chiefly southern African plants related to lilies and having spikes of often showy flowers
2
: the dried bitter juice of the leaves of an aloe used especially formerly as a strong laxative and tonic
—usually used in plural
3
: aloe vera

Medical Definition

aloe

noun
al·​oe ˈal-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce aloe (audio)
1
capitalized : a large genus (family Asphodelaceae) of succulent chiefly southern African plants with basal leaves and spicate flowers
2
: a plant of the genus Aloe
3
: the dried juice of the leaves of various aloes used especially formerly as a purgative and tonic
—usually used in plural but singular in construction
4
: aloe vera sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on aloe

Nglish: Translation of aloe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aloe

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