aloes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very low frequencyFormal / Technical (pharmacology, botany, historical texts)
Quick answer
What does “aloes” mean?
A bitter drug or resin obtained from various aloe plants, used chiefly in medicine and perfumery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bitter drug or resin obtained from various aloe plants, used chiefly in medicine and perfumery.
The plural form often refers to the dried, bitter-tasting juice or resin (aloes) derived from plants of the genus Aloe, particularly Aloe vera or related species. Historically and in modern contexts, it can also refer collectively to plants of the genus Aloe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties. The plant genus name 'Aloe' is pronounced differently.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of antiquity, traditional medicine, and bitterness.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Slightly more likely in UK in historical/literary contexts (e.g., Biblical references).
Grammar
How to Use “aloes” in a Sentence
N of aloes (a lump of aloes)ADJ aloes (bitter aloes)V with aloes (impregnated with aloes)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aloes” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The aloes resin was imported from Socotra.
- An aloes-based tincture.
American English
- The aloes compound is known for its purgative effects.
- An aloes-infused preparation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in niche trade of botanicals, herbs, or essential oils.
Academic
Found in historical texts, pharmacology, botany, and studies of ancient trade.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Aloe vera gel' is the common term.
Technical
Used in pharmacognosy to specify the dried latex (not the gel) from Aloe species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aloes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aloes”
- Using 'aloes' as a plural for the common houseplant (correct: 'aloe plants' or 'aloes' only for the substance).
- Treating 'aloes' as always plural (it is an uncountable noun).
- Confusing 'aloes' (bitter resin) with 'aloe vera gel' (soothing mucilage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, but primarily for the substance, not the plant. For the plants, 'aloes' or 'aloe plants' is used. The substance 'aloes' is usually treated as singular/uncountable.
'Aloes' is the bitter, yellow, dried latex from the skin of the leaf, used as a strong laxative. 'Aloe vera gel' is the clear, soothing mucilage from the inner leaf, used for burns and skin care.
It is very rare in everyday English. It is mostly found in historical, botanical, or pharmacological contexts.
It comes from Latin 'aloē' and Greek 'alóē'. The '-es' ending in English often marks it as a plural or a mass noun derived from a classical language.
A bitter drug or resin obtained from various aloe plants, used chiefly in medicine and perfumery.
Aloes is usually formal / technical (pharmacology, botany, historical texts) in register.
Aloes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæləʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæloʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gall and aloes (Biblical: extreme bitterness)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ALOE plant weeping bitter TEARS (sounds like the final 'es' in aloes). Those tears are the dried, bitter 'aloes' used in old medicines.
Conceptual Metaphor
BITTERNESS IS MEDICINE / BITTERNESS IS SUFFERING (e.g., 'a cup of aloes' metaphor for a bitter experience).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical text, 'aloes' most likely refers to: